New York, Los Angeles, Moscow, Naples, and Iowa City

That's a list of the first 5 cities that get a peek at Robert Wilson's new video portrait show that's making the rounds. Apparently Robert Wilson did some work at the Univeristy a couple decades ago and he's always had a soft spot in his heart for us ever since. I went a couple days ago with my friend Jesse and we oohed and aahed and reflected and giggled the day away at the University of Iowa Art Museum. Above is the video portrait with Steve Buschemi.

The show consists of around 30 different celebrities, movie stars, dancers, animals, and non-celebrities posing for what appear to be still photos, but on closer examination are video portraits. You'll see Johnny Depp trying to keep his fingers absolutely still, and, for the most part succeeding, until a blink of the eye gives him away.

In some of the portraits, like the humorous, suspense filled take on Brad Pitt in is underwear, the movement is more prounounced. But in others, the only thing that keeps you from thinking that the shot is a still frame is the slow, shallow breathing of the subject, or a reflexive twitch of a muscle. It's almost like walking through one of those Scooby Doo castles where the eyes of the old portraits of barons begin to follow you around. In fact, the entire show, like Scooby Doo, or a haunted house, has a kind of faux-macabre feel to it. The premises are kept as dark as possible to intensify the brilliant colors of the portraits, and each time you take a blind turn you run into another creepy character (my favorite was the sad/bored talking black panther. What a beautiful, dangerous-looking animal). Of course, the cuts don't last forever, so it's always interesting to see how he's going to loop a 2 minute of 5 minute cut back onto itself.

The show is called the Voom series because all of the portraits are on crystal clear HD "Voom" television sets. Extremely impressive. My friend must have noted 3 times that it felt like you could reach in and touch the subjects. That's technology for you. What CAN'T it do.

So, if you're in the area I highly recommend checking out the show. In fact, give me a call and we can go together. I miss that beautiful talking black panther already.