28-02-2003

The Magnetic Era
Video Art in the Netherlands 1970-1985

Video has commanded a place within the domain of the visual arts since 1965, and has now grown into one of the most widely used forms of art. After the successful introduction of the medium in the United States, Europe followed on. The Netherlands played a pioneering role, certainly as regards the provision of workshop facilities for this new art form, at internationally renowned institutions such as Het Lijnbaanscentrum, Jan van Eijck Akademie, MonteVideo and De Appel.



The video art circuit in the Netherlands evolved thanks to a unique cross-fertilization of local and international tendencies. In the period from the early 1970s to the mid - 1980s the new medium rapidly achieved maturity. Artists were discovering the creative possibilities of the medium and experimenting with its documentary expressiveness. However, they also had to defend their preference for the new medium to an art world that did not yet seem to have adjusted to this new art form. The gradual integration of new, simpler and cheaper montage techniques in the production process marked a turning point for video art, clearing the way for its assimilation in the art world: since the 1990s, video art has manifested itself as a given in the domain of the visual arts. The development of video art can be explained from a whole variety of perspectives. This is the reason why this book has adopted a thematic approach rather than follow a strictly chronological sequence. Various writers examine specific areas. Taking an academic approach that is still accessible, the book is addressed to a wide-ranging readership of artists and art enthusiasts.

Design: Harald Slaterus
Paperback, sewn, illustrated (c. 80 fc, 90 b/w), 208 pages, size: 24 x 17 cm
text in English, ISBN 90-5662-299-4, OUT OF PRINT
Dutch edition, ISBN 90-5662-298-6

NAi Publishers in cooperation with the Netherlands Media Art Institute, Amsterdam

With the support of the Mondriaan Foundation, VSB-fonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds

Although scientific, a books that reads easy. Suitable for everyone who is interested in video art.

Edited by: Jeroen Boomgaard and Bart Rutten.
Authors: Jeroen Boomgaard, Anne van Driel, Heiner Holtappels, Hinke Kappert, Sebastián López, Marga van Mechelen and Ruth Bellinkx, Rob Perrée, Bart Rutten and Jorinde Seijdel.
Design: Harald Slaterus

ISBN 90-5662-299-4 € 35,-
Dutch edition ISBN 90-5662-298-6 € 29,50

SOLD OUT

Thanks to: Mondriaan Stichting, VSB Fonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds