Memories of Ancestral Power (The Moro Movement in the Solomon Islands)
Bill Viola
1977, 35:19 min, color, sound
Memories of Ancestral Power (The Moro Movement in the Solomon Islands)
Bill Viola
1977, 35:19 min, color, sound
Description
The rituals and philosophies of indigenous non-Western cultures recur throughout Viola's work. In 1976, he travelled to the Solomon Islands with portable color video equipment, which was then a new technology. The first of two "visionary documentaries" produced during his two-month stay, Memories of Ancestral Power centers on the cult leader Moro and his efforts to retain ancient traditions in the face of increasing Western influence. In this collaboration of Viola, Moro, and his followers, much of the structure and content of the recordings were determined by the subjects themselves. Moro explains his vision during the course of a visit to the House of Memories and other sacred sites in the village.
Recorded/Edited: Bill Viola. Post Production Engineers: John J. Godfrey, Tom T. Klemesrud. Editor: Tom T. Klemesrud. Produced in association with the International Television Workshop, New York.
Exhibition & Distribution Conditions
SCREENING REQUIREMENTS for museum or gallery presentation:
The video should be presented as cinema. Projection in a dedicated, darkened gallery is strongly preferred. Accompanying floor plans and technical specifications regarding projection equipment is appreciated. Videos must be shown in original 4:3 aspect ratio, either using projector settings, as available, or pillarboxed with black masking.
Seating must be provided for the audience, and works must be shown according to a published schedule, not presented as an automatically repeating loop. Works cannot be incorporated into looping programs with other titles. Audio must be handled through a separate stereo sound system (amplifier and two speakers).
Please contact the EAI office (info@eai.org) for further information regarding monitor displays. Presentation on monitor may be permitted in certain instances, but the use of headphones or sound through built-in speakers is not permitted.
