Art News

For the first time in Kansas City: Riveting Bill Viola video opens at Nelson-Atkins Museum

KANSAS CITY.- A psychologically powerful video depicting strangers facing an unexpected disaster opened at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on Jan. 21. Bill Viola’s The Raft (2004) is approximately 10 minutes long and explores themes of tragedy, survival and transformation. In the video, a group of men and women from various ethnic and economic backgrounds gather as if waiting for a train or bus to arrive. As is characteristic of urban settings, each individual maintains a psychological distance. Suddenly the group is struck by a massive onslaught of water. People huddle and struggle and succumb to the explosive force of the water. Will they survive? Will they be transformed? Then, as suddenly as it arrived, the deluge subsides and people begin to regain their composure. As they do, they reach out to others, comforting them. Seen in extreme slow motion, movements and facial