A R C H I V E2 0 0 1  
19th
  Fernando Alvim
Unconscious skin
 
  Angola/Belgium 2001
Four installations and a video projection (specs)
 

Abstraction, location and meaning - vernacular region 1

The acknowledgement of emblematic interpretation of events in the physical world is a procedure, which formulates conception, thought and perception. Experienced events deduce a structural composition of recollections and awareness, which facilitates the hypothesis of comprehension for particular instances. Awareness of temporal limitations of being illustrates the consciousness of eventuality - in other words, the absence of totality and invalidity of absolute value. The process of eventuality is a transformation through disintegration and decomposition. This phenomenon is a procedure of inadequate comprehension due to compositional instability and physical deterioration integrated in the mechanism of existence.

The evaluation of experience as a conception of reality is in the generation of representative deliberations with reference to physicality and spatial accommodation. Reoccurrence of events and experience form the basis for the interpretative supposition in the apprehension of the unfamiliar. The inability to locate the absolute renders the notion of a transition in time and space where all are subjected to natural laws and truth.

The truth being that which must be a subject of universal validity as experienced in numbers with which the ineffable abstractions of the universe gain meaning through representations and objective distinctions with reference to context and stipulation.

This requires a categorized correspondence between an objective and a presumption and the association of the physicality of being and the consciousness of non-being by virtue of synonymous subjective experiences. The sequence of endeavours and observable events form the basis for valid interpretations and relative connections of experiences. Thus, a transformation of sensory stimulation into a structured and comprehensible psychological process of awareness and search of reference.

In communication meaning lies in abstraction and three major elements formulate the perception of what is being communicated. The cause is the origin of the impulse, which is transmitted by the means (with reference to time and space) and finally the objective or the recipient.

The mind is non-material but exists within the physicality of being as a connection between the physical and non physical. Therefore to locate mentally is a peculiar notion of spatial assimilation and a synthesis of mediation between conception and interpretation.

This assimilation is concentrated on relative affiliated properties and principles, which reduces a selective approach within a range of alternatives to minimized relative options.

The format bears emphasis on particularities and peculiarities in order to instigate a structured summarised and conclusive interpretation of experience.

The perception mechanism projects a compulsive stimulation to anticipate, acknowledge and interpret, since an impulse in itself has no meaning until it formulates either an inductive or adaptive interpretation.

Hence the location represents a solitary position where thought is determined, modified and generally classified. This impression of perception could be understood as the introspective realm of temporal consciousness relating to recollections and sensational awareness.

In other words, a reversal projection or retrospection of physical experience as functional description which reproduces determined and preconceived references.

Perception of an image is not necessarily consensus with the mental course of imagination. Image perception tends towards a mental reproduction of previous sensory experiences relative to determined classifications.

The image is not confined to visual interpretation as it also represents variable connotations of perception such as attitude, impression and audible sensation which could materialise as non-visible impulsive events.

An impulsive experience is primarily perceived or acknowledged by response of the physical stimulus that evolves an inductive process were relative connections are deduced from experiences and acknowledgement of established interpretations of events.

Stimulus is a physical property, which instigates conceivable response or a particular instance of an event that imposes behavioural adaptations and sensation. This sensation expresses a process of definition and confirmation of either an internal or external stimulation which in turn formulates reaction. Thus comprehension is confined to sensory experiences and their relative connections in time and space.

– Ola-Dele Kuku

1. "Vernacular region: region perceived to exist by its inhabitants and other members of the population at large - hence also popular region or perceptual region. Such regions exists as part of the popular or folk culture and represent composites of the mental maps of ordinary people i.e. the shared, spontaneous image of territorial reality present in their minds." (Dictionary of Human Geography)


Specs
Gela uanga / War and art of elsewhere
2001, Belgium. DVCam, DVD and BetacamSP, 52:00, black&white and colour
A film 'faction' by Fernando Alvim and Valerie van Nitsen, reflecting 'ex post' on the multimedia art intervention 'memorias intimas marcas' based on the exorcism of the Angolan-South African war. World premiere

Unconscious Skin:
Four installations and a video projection. Three video works are projected on top of each other on a wall. Each of them can be stopped by the public in order to look at each of the others.
Installations:

Difumbe disarmed race foreigner
From the series 'Warning life - a life situation 1992-2000, Luanda, Johannesburg, Brussels'
Installation. Remembrance, sound, shadows, text, display fridge, crucifixes, light projection, curtain. Size variable. Hans Bogatzke Collection

Morfina and disarmed DNA
a wonderful journey on the bed with Zi - unplugged

From the series 'Warning life - a life situation 1997-1999, Luanda, Accra, Brussels'
Installation. Furniture, food, tv, fridges with manioc, mattress with eggs. Size: 2x200x60x60, 180x80x40, 40x30x30 cm. Hans Bogatzke Collection

Elsewhere skin - human geography
From the series 'Emotional geography'
2000, Brussels. Installation, slide projection on cardboard, 80 black&white slides and ambient sound

Unconscious skin
From the series 'Emotional geography'
2001, Brussels. Animation film, referring to a drawing by Rembrandt, 30sec-30min loop, black&white

I miss you
From the series 'Warning life - a life situation 1967-2000'
Filmed in 1995 Angola, 1997 Angola, 1997 South Africa, 1999 Belgium, 2000 South Africa
Video, 26:00, black&white, ambient sound. Hans Bogatzke Collection

Morfina
From the series 'Warning life'
Filmed in 1997 Cuito Cuanavale, 1998 Brussels
Video from landscape vectorscope, 20:00, colour, no sound

Kilembe - Tree of Knowledge
From the series 'Warning life'
2001, Belgium. Video, 5min-30min loop, colour, no sound


Commissioned by World Wide Video Festival 2001, with the support of HIVOS Culture Fund

Fernando Alvim
° 1963 Luanda, Angola
Lives and works in Brussels Belgium, and Luanda Angola


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