Fighting Kissing Dancing
About
Fighting Kissing Dancing—three actions commonly occur in traditional narrative film for emotional effect and are likewise employed by the artists in the exhibition as a means of exploring ideas surrounding the human form, its interactions and intimacies. Fighting is purposeful violent conflict intended to establish dominance over the opposition that is used in a way to solve conflicts. Kissing is the act of pressing one’s lips against the body of another. Cultural connotations of kissing vary widely, but are used as a way to express emotion. Dancing is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body—usually rhythmic—and to music in a way to celebrate life itself.
Mission
Artist/curator Carlos Rigau organized this project and designed an installation to showcase six short videos. From the main gallery of the second floor, a doorway leads to a dark space with bright neon rectangles and moving images on the far wall. Upon entering the room, visitors see videos playing and hear sounds and voices as they find places to sit or a grip bar on which to lean and watch the screen.
Single-channel works are usually seen in public theaters, private homes and on the Internet (formats symbolized by the neon). This installation highlights the work of a group of artists who enact individual narratives and use varied video mise-en-scene strategies. The artists who created the works are all based in Miami and there’s a range of themes and approaches:
Fighting Kissing Dancing (de la Cruz Collection and Fabric Workshop and Museum) was a collection of artists’ videos shown in an environment designed by the artist to contextualize the viewing experience.
