The Commission

The Commission

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew

Status

Released

Release Date

Jan 1, 1983

Runtime

0h 45m

Original Title

The Commission

Production Companies

New Mexico Arts Division, National Endowment for the Arts

Director

Woody Vasulka

Description

This work is Woody's first entry into the narrative sphere, whereby the "story" is continually undermined with the aid of various anti-narrative strategies: In each of the eleven segments of this "electronic opera", different effects are used. Fascinated with the remarkable personality of infamous violinist Niccola Paganini and his complicated relationship to Hector Berlioz (played by artists Ernie Gusella and Robert Ashley, respectively), the author meditates over the intricacies of artistic geniality as connected not only with fame but also with the necessity of painful survival under the pressures of the art market.