Ways to show the installation piece "Atlas"

Atlas can be shown in 2 ways:
1) projected onto a full size wall with a projector showing 3 image-partitions which continually change, 30 min movie, looped, see image below:

2) on LCD screens with 3 screens, 1 with a recording from the top of the mountain, 1 with a recording from the gallery space (to make the installation more site specific) and an addtional one - from the profile - called Atlas Goes Superman, see image below:

Atlas

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Atlas is the Greek God and Titan who led the rebellion against Zeus for which he was condemned to bear the heavens upon his shoulders. The story has it that he became the personification of endurance. The short video picks up on the ancient legend and continues a series of trials, tribulations, and enactments by the Austrian sculptor and media artist Richard Jochum. The artist is digging his way through the territory of Greek mythology. Atlas has been performed on different locations: on a summit of the Austrian Alps, at the beach, on the top of a skyscraper in Manhattan. Atlas is the sequel to "Sisyphus on Vacation" which was performed in the Austrian Alps, too. -

Atlas Goes Superman

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Atlas goes Superman takes the theme one step further and melts the American superhero motif Superman with ancient Greek mythology, home of many potent ueberheros and crafty Gods. Where Atlas had to be turned on his head, Superman does it with a simple rotation: pushing the planet while flying midair.

The artist is digging his way through the territory of global mythology and combines European and American culture. Atlas as Superman has been performed in Athens in the ancient Agora in May 2009 and is the sequel to Atlas (2008 ongoing) and Sisyphus on Vacation which was performed 2006 in the Austrian Alps and first shown in 2007.

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov)

Sisyphus on Vacation

2006. Land art project, photograph, 60 x 82 inches. Video documentary 3 min 39 sec. Movie-Link

Sisyphus On Vacation is the product of a two-week artist-in-residency in the Austrian Alps in which I carried painted gray stones totaling 692 pounds to the top of a mountain. The project imitates the old Greek figure of a blinded Sisyphus in his futile attempt to roll a boulder uphill that would only roll back down just before reaching the summit – again and again. Part of the project was to persuade 20 fellow hikers successfully to help schlepping the stones.

The land art project Sisyphus On Vacation would be best shown as a large format print. The video serves as a documentary and tells the story of how the project came about. As a documentary it would be best presented on a small television or led screen next to the print.

Short Bio

Richard Jochum is a studio member at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts and adjunct professor at Columbia University. He works as a media artist since the late 1990s setting up exhibitions all over the world. An Austrian citizen, Richard received a PhD from the University of Vienna and an MFA in sculpture and media art from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna before he moved first to Berlin and later to New York. Richard’s art practice is accompanied by workshops, lectures and courses in the field of contemporary art practice, intermedia and visual studies. He has been awarded several grants and prizes. One of his most recent solo exhibitions – 20 works in photography, video, and installation – has been on display at the Gallery Bundo in South-Korea till March 18, 2010. More information can be found at richardjochum.net.

Artist Statement

(1) I am a post-minimalist and post-conceptual sculptor and media artist drawing from a vast variety of media and artistic practices. To cross boundaries has proven to be typical for my artistic practice over the years in its attempt to explore and bridge diversity in media, technology, and the arts.

(2) I believe in the power of art; rather than in decoration. I think art continually has to find new imagery for the time we live in. For the conditions and issues we deal with: existentially, politically, physically, and globally. Searching such images is what I am aiming for.

(3) My artistic work is often based on participation or embedded in local communities. I believe in an intriguing encounter between art producers and the public. To embrace education is a rewarding way to expand our creativity. Audiences can make us learn better, and see things we would not have known of. I understand both, intelligence and creativity to be profoundly social.