Votive: Baudrillard and Sartre in Plato’s Cave

Video Sculpture

2006

This sculptural video piece from 2006 consists of a video monitor, charred wood pedestal and a wax candle with electic light bulb. The TV screen appears to be off, showing only a reflection of the light bulb/candle on a “turned off” screen. The TV appears to turn on, showing static, but now with a reflection of a real candle flame. Moths begin to fly around and appear to land on the screen. A person off-screen begins blowing on the candle, as the candle flame erupts into an explosion of flame, which quickly dies down as the TV appears to turn off. Now we see a video image of a lit candle on the screen, and then it is blown out, being replaced by the actual reflection of the actual candle and electric light. (The video is on a 1 min. loop with sound – The entire sculpture is approximately 4′ x 2′ x 2′