This video work was created from de-editing (removing all slow motion, replays, etc.) appropriated police chase footage which was then set to music from selected live rock concert performance recordings in collaboration with the seminal New York rock band Sonic Youth. The compatibility of these two classic American activities is total. There is a particular emphasis on post-car foot chases.  This video looks at these individuals desperate grip on liberty against the state as they run it down to its most intense humanist elements in their cars, motorcycles and on foot. 

This video is related to my other works that explore a humanist point of view upon competition, power, and Social Darwinism in capitalist America.

The video has been exhibited at PARTICIPANT in New York City, and screened at IMPAKT in Utrecht, Projection in Liverpool, Select 5 in Chicago and others in 2006.

Program 13 : 06 January 2007

BRIAN BLOCK (USA)

Brian Block is a New York based artist whose work has been shown in Europe and North America, including the Stellan Holm Gallery, PARTICIPANT, Maze Gallery, IMPAKT video Festival, and the Queens Museum of Art.  In addition to his solo work, he is a founding member of the NYC based arts collaborative A Front Group which have done several installation projects in recent years.

Born in 1966 in Milton, MA he studied English at University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and received an MFA in Photography at School of Visual Arts in NYC, working closely with artists Mel Bochner and Sarah Charlesworth. Recent projects include a 2 person show at Participant Gallery in NYC, the world premier of a video at the IMPAKT video festival in Utrecht, as well as screenings in Liverpool and Chicago.