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Videotapes by Bill Viola
1. The Reflecting Pool, 1979
2. Ancient of Days, 1979-81
3. Chott el-Djerid (A Portait in Light and Heat), 1979
4. I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like, 1986
5. Hatsu-yume (First Dream), 1981
6. The Passing, 1991

All photos © Kira Perov

ORDERING VIDEOS

Earlier Bill Viola works are typically single-channel videos, which are not editioned and more generally available to the public. Most works made after the early 1990s are installations, meaning that all aspects of their presentation are specified: the surrounding space, the lighting, the sound and the playback equipment.

Therefore, the actual video components of these later installation works are not available for purchase separately, or for viewing under other conditions—they can only be seen installed. These later works are collected in limited editions, purchased through one of our galleries as available.

Earlier video works for home use were at one time more available internationally, through DVD vendors who have since closed due to lack of demand for the aged format. Rental or purchase of a wide range of Bill Viola videos can still be made through Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI) in New York, though only for institutional purposes. For purchases of videos for home viewing, as of 2022, the only Bill Viola video work available is Sweet Life, 1977, through Video Data Bank in Chicago, listed below. Both EAI and Video Data Bank are excellent resources for accessing extensive catalogues of video art in general.

• For requests regarding videos for exhibition, please contact our galleries or the studio office directly.

 

EDUCATIONAL RENTAL OR PURCHASE, PUBLIC SCREENING RENTALS AND ARCHIVAL PURCHASES

Electronic Arts Intermix
535 West 22nd St, 5th floor
New York, NY 10011
Tel: (212) 337-0680
Fax: (212) 332-0679
Email: info@eai.org
http://www.eai.org

 

FOR HOME USE

Video Data Bank's online catalogue features available videotape works by Bill Viola (currently only Sweet Life, 1977):

Video Data Bank
The School of the Art Institute
3rd Floor, 112 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603
Email: info@vdb.org
http://www.vdb.org/

In additon, "phrases" from two Bill Viola works may be purchased through s[edition].

s[edition]
16–24 Underwood Street
N1 7JQ London, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 203 468 9773
www.seditionart.com

 

FILMS

Mark Kidel's film Bill Viola: The Eye of the Heart is available through:

In the US and Canada (for Educational Use): Films Media Group
or through Mark Kidel directly at: Calliope Media

 

Bill Viola: The Road to St Paul's, a documentary film by Gerry Fox, is available through Arthaus Musik GmbH: