The section in this chapter titled Being Human: Life of the Body, Life of the Spirit discusses our earthly life. Whether it’s our unseen spiritual body or our physical body itself, art shows them both. No one has proof of anything more than what is physical or tangible in our body. However, expressions through art show the possibility of what something else can look like. Through viewing them, and image can turn to emotions, emotions to actions, actions to beliefs, and beliefs to a lifestyle. To imagine there could be a spirit or something other than simply the flesh on our body gives hope and a different passion in life. Bill Viola's Departing Angel, Fire Angel, Birth Angel, and Ascending Angel from the Five Angels for the Millenium gives that passion.
In one large dark room there are Five separate video and sound loops spread out around the rooms edge. All of these videos play simultaneously but not as a symphony. It is meant to confuse you as you enter, even disorienting. The video on the walls is of five images and suspenseful rumblings that gives a sort of anxiety to the viewer. Unable to explain in words the images somewhat plunge out of what looks like glowing water with a resemblance to a human figure. It is not certain if the presences mean a birth, a death, or something else. Interpretation of these “Angels” can be different. After about 15 minutes of the this High Definition display, the cycle repeats itself.
It is amazing how such technology can work can show such a simple meaning. Although the simple meaning give millions of complex interpretations. Simply the title can trigger the mind in what this might be. If the word angel was not in the title, would the viewer see something different? Bill Viola wanted people to see a simple meaning but never certain that it was the right one.
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