The Fall into Paradise

Bill Viola, The Fall into Paradise, 2005, single-channel video installation, high-definition, color, sound; 09:58 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2012.56, © 2005, Bill Viola
Bill Viola, The Fall into Paradise, 2005, single-channel video installation, high-definition, color, sound; 09:58 minutes, dimensions variable, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2012.56, © 2005, Bill Viola

Artwork Details

Title
The Fall into Paradise
Artist
Date
2005
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
dimensions variable
Copyright
© 2005, Bill Viola
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums
Mediums Description
single-channel video installation, high-definition, color, sound; 09:58 minutes
Classifications
Highlights
Object Number
2012.56

Artwork Description

Bill Viola explored themes of transformation and transcendence from emotional, philosophical, and spiritual perspectives. In The Fall into Paradise, a single pixel appears in the void, then slowly expands to reveal two figures entwined in an embrace. Just at the instant the figures become clear, they explode through the surface into a spectacular display of color and light. The performers' experience represents a moment of transcendental and spiritual breakthrough, tracing Viola's continuing search for consciousness and empirical knowledge through art.

Watch This!: Revelations in Media Art, 2015

Works by this artist (1 item)

Tanya Aguiñiga, Metabolizing the Border, 2018-2020, Performance. Unique objects worn by artist/performer (glass, neoprene, rusted metal fragments of U.S./Mexico border fence, leather, cotton twine, flashlight) and photodocumentation of the performance (digital files), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Joint museum purchase with the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum through the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, 2022.31.1.1-.10
Metabolizing the Border
Date2018-2020
Performance. Unique objects worn by artist/performer (glass, neoprene, rusted metal fragments of U.S./Mexico border fence, leather, cotton twine, flashlight) and photodocumentation of the performance (digital files)
Not on view

Exhibitions

Media - 2012.56 - 2012.56_1a.jpg - 88539
Watch This! New Directions in the Art of the Moving Image (3.0)
April 30, 2013February 15, 2015
Watch This! New Directions in the Art of the Moving Image is a series of rotating exhibitions drawn from SAAM’s permanent collection.

More Artworks from the Collection

Cat Mazza, Knit for Defense, 2011-2012, single-channel digital video, black and white, surround sound; 9:10 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2012.28, © 2012, Cat Mazza
Knit for Defense
Date2011-2012
single-channel digital video, black and white, surround sound; 9:10 minutes
Not on view
Rico Gatson, History Lessons, 2004, four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2015.7.2, © 2004, Aunrico Gatson
History Lessons
Date2004
four-channel video, color, sound; 10:12 minutes
Not on view
The Passage
Date2009
single-channel video, color, sound; 19:00 minutes
Not on view
Johannes; Herodias; The Dance
Date2011
three-channel video, color, sound; 38:43 minutes
Not on view