In early 1986, I was invited to create
an installation of current work for the Venice Biennale (Art
& Science: Informatique Exhibition) in Italy. After encountering
and overcoming numerous logistic difficulties, IR opened on June
27 at the Corderia, an historic Armory rope factory. The installation
included a video tape composition created with a military FLIR
(forward looking infrared) aerial surveillance images; an audio
tape composition of three talking computers discussing: information
theory, military communications and surveillance, a 10' x 20'
map/painting, pinpointing and detailing the military nuclear
infrastructure (US, NATO and Italian facilities) in Italy; and
a short performance on the opening evening.
I left Venice on June 30. Subsequent
reports to me from friends visiting the Biennale, indicated that
in early July, the IR installation was shut down and my name
and any evidence of the work was removed. Cablegrams and telephone
queries to the Venice Biennale staff were not answered. The large
painting was shipped back to me that Fall.
|