On Joy, On Sorrow Video

On Joy, On Sorrow Installation, 2009, 2 Channel Synced Video, 2 Channel Audio, Running Time: 5:30 minutes

Project Statement

On Joy, On Sorrow is a 2-Channel Synced Video that attempts to abstractly convey the interdependent relationship of two disparate emotions. This work is personal in nature and stems from observing events in life that have led to recognizing the conceptual threads that run between Joy and Sorrow. Whether that is in the gain and loss that comes with age, or our current political and economic climate, Joy and Sorrow are intrinsically tied to one another. To quote the Lebanese Poet Kahlil Gibran, “Your Joy is your Sorrow unmasked.”

The two videos are intended to be experienced as having a dialog with one another with audio and video components, at times, emphasizing one side over the other and at other times seamlessly meshed together in a uniform dance. The fluid nature of this work contains very little concrete imagery and relies heavily upon the viewer’s imagination to complete the piece. Specifically, the primary elements in this work are liquid and light.

The audio component is an original musical score that I worked in collaboration with Composer Joel Love for this piece.

On Joy, On Sorrow (Video Still), 2009

On Joy, On Sorrow (Video Still), 2009

On Joy, On Sorrow (Video Still), 2009

On Joy, On Sorrow, (Low-Res 480p) from Prince Varughese Thomas on Vimeo.