david fodel

"Sunflowers", a single-channel video work, is a playful look at the traditional Still Life format. The idea was to create very subtle movement in the stillness, and to foreground the evolving nature of our relationship to materials and matter through ever more sensitive technologies of observation.

We arranged the still life to look very much like Van Gogh's work of the same name, using fake plastic sunflowers. The background color was created using fabric draped across the set-up and activated using multiple window fans. We then shot the scene at 60 frames per second, capturing the fluttering cloth and plastic flowers. Slowing the playback significantly yielded a 6 minute loop from about 10 seconds of action.

Some selective processing of the imagery results in deliciously sensual movement and rich vibrant color. A subtle contemplative work that draws the viewer in, even as it demands no attention at all. An ambient video painting. Special thanks to Pax of Medium VFX for technical assistance.