Surrogate (1995) - Garnet Hertz
Duration: 7 minutes
Format: VHS
Influenced by Nam June Paik's "The Moon is the Oldest Television" (1965-67) this timelapsed video explores the modern attraction to TV as a primal human hunger for light. Somewhat like gazing at the moon or catching a glimpse of the sun, this project uses a television set as a surrogate experience that links us with this primal desire. Just as the glowing heavanly bodies were once used to orient one's position, the modern glow of TV offers a similar experience - providing the individual with a basis to orient one's self within current events, culture, and capitalism.
SUBTITLE TRANSCRIPTION:
we know that humans seek food
a lot of life is spent in this process
hunting
supermarket
we can say that seeking food is instinctive in all humans
(innate)
a hunger that is biological
even babies know how to do it within their limits
mother's milk
rubber nipple
if light is also food, then might we seek it as plants do
human photosynthesis
is this why we gaze at fire
campfires and fireplaces
is this why we used to gaze at the moon and the stars
moon cycles used to measure time
the stars used to give orientation and direction
is this why we stay up late watching television
seeking direction and orientation
connecting to the world
surrogate
Garnet Hertz (1995) - http://conceptlab.com