Hrag Vartanian

Here are four short videos (<90 sec.) from my tour of the Bushwick Open Studios.

Ann Oren’s “The Factory” (2008)

http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235

Presented at her studio at 117 Grattan St., Ann Oren‘s video installation depicts a supervisor with a bullhorn trying to encourage the lazy workers to up their production of some unknown product. Oren plays all the roles in the video piece.
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Karla Cabuller’s “Licking” (2007)

http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235

Part of the “Cup of Soup” group show at 248 McKibbin St.
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Max Abeles’ “040801” (2008)

http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235

100 Thames St. – Art and machine have never had a more retro union than in this sculpture.
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Recreating Brion Gyson’s “Dream Machine” in John Nicholson’s Studio at Grace Exhibition Space

http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=49235

According to Wikipedia: “With Sommerville, he built the Dreamachine in 1961. Described as ‘the first art object to be seen with the eyes closed,’ the flicker device uses alpha waves in the 8-16 Hz range to produce a change of consciousness in receptive viewers.”