To reinterpret materials, to use them as hardware for light-generating programs is one of the main themes in Rainer?s works. The work Selbst ("Helmut Rainer") (Self ("Helmut Rainer") refers with its title to self-reflection and representation of his person. With the use of a working suit he wears, Rainer interprets the relationship of superficial clothing to one?s self ? not however without the superficial: Even equipped with a transmitter: In the ?breast (heart) pocket? (Rainer), an LCD monitor is incorporated that functions within the works of Rainer as software. Rainer?s tapes show precise means of formulation of psychological perception effects of visual image composition. In this case, precise does not mean that the formulation options must be selected with respect to their narrative qualities, but rather the use of codes of the emotional film language as a form of dialogue offered by the artist (:Self). Therefore, Rainer?s tapes do not speculate upon a monologue of constantly changing stimuli that he sends to the retina of the observer, but rather supply inter-textual messages that activate our involvement in our surroundings through the phenomena of our perception.

Everything that we see is depicted in advance upon the retina in fragmented form. These retinal projections produce certain optical models. If movements are now seen, the light models move across the retina. The manner of the flow determines what movement impression we receive. For example, those characteristics of points flowing from the external to the internal and projection forms accumulating concentrically across the entire retinal surface lead beyond the entire retinal surface, exclusively to the perception that we are moving forwards. Rainer allows the video light to ?pump? (Rainer) from the breast pocket of his working suit to the retina of the observers in such a manner that our perception is constantly occupied with new illusions. He rejects a related story, for which it would be worthwhile to give oneself over to the illusion ? such as, for example, in an induced movement through a roller coaster camera trip. Rather, he translates what he himself, Helmut Rainer, sees ? Video (lat: I see!) as the models that land upon his retina. Helmut Rainer?s self-portrait represents that which he sees as the illusion for discussion and wants to enter into negotiation with the illusions of those who are looking at him.

(Suess / translation: www.dieuebersetzer.de)

Exhibitions

Positionen österreichischer Gegenwartskunst, 1989

Cultureel Centrum "Schaarpoord" Knokke-Heist, Knokke-Heist, Belgium

Lichtkörperlicht, 1995

Galerie Steinek, Wien, Austria

Helmut Rainer, 1998

Villa aller Art, Bludenz, Austria

Specifications

20sec no sound color PAL

Technical protocol

Studio set photography with rotating lighted objects, Beta SP Sony camera (photography); analog Beta SP editing location (editing); Beta SP (Master).

A channel object: "Silent Servant" (wood) or a coat hook (wood); blue working suit ("Blue Anton"), integrated LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a player (VHS).

Production

Helmut Rainer

Edition

Sammlung des Niederösterreichischen Landesmuseums, St.Pölten

Copyright

Helmut Rainer

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