Figuring Grounds, 1985

Gary Hill is an American Contemporary artist living and working in Seattle WA. His work often incorporates language and text in his videos and installation. In the 70's Gary started working with videos. He produced single-channel videotapes and video installations which have become some of his most significant work. Through his explorations he found a connection between linguistics and consciousness. Gary Hill's wire sculptures extended into electronic sound with the use of; video cameras, tape, playback/feedback, sound synthesizers, interactive art and public interventions. In the 70's he also began to interact with poets and other artists. This extended his interest to a level of poetic and complex text. To Gary Hill, language was not just words, but more the experience of speaking that came from electronic space. Gary Hill is referred to as pioneer on the novel medium of video. Gary Hill has distinguished himself with his approach that is both literally and conceptually in his deconstruction of sound. He has taken video screens and unhoused, suspended, multiplied, miniaturized and completely manipulated them. The complexity of his work over the decades is still open to further characterization. His work allows him high unpredictability. Gary Hill can work with more than one principle at a time and make things happen on multiple planes. Gary Hill's uses image and sound media and it is considered a new form of writing. Gary Hill has received numerous grants and fellowships for his work. His installations can be seen throughout the world. (Artist website)