vito acconci theme song 1973 -- part 1

The dynamic tension between 'I and you,' artist and viewer, is perhaps most brilliantly realised in 'Theme Song', a pivotal work. Here he uses the close-up to construct a charged confrontation with the viewer. Acconci is 'face to face,' his head looming onto the screen. With a disquieting intimacy, he shifts between vulnerability and manipulation, candour and seduction, in a pop song driven 'come-on' to the viewer. While Acconci's monologues often refer specifically to women, 'Theme Song' is effective precisely because the 'you' here is un-gendered, non-specific, universal: 'You could be anybody out there.' Describing a relationship of trust and deception, Acconci ultimately acknowledges that the notion of being 'face to face' is, after all, a rather pathetic illusion: 'I can feel your body right next to me...I know I'm only kidding myself...You're not here'

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• art
• vito
• acconci
• theme
• song

[chimpiki]

It would be really, really funny to submit this to one of those video dating places if they still do those. Shallow, I know, but I think it would be amusing.

[yammerskooner]

@Gongeman76

Every detail was planned out meticulously? Uh, please.

[jas16899]

Back in the day, to get this video you had to pay rights to show it, was incredibly expensive. I love youtube for this reason. Piracy frees information for us to learn from.

[pppasoliniboa]

well, dear mabsurda, i strongly disagree on the 'I and you' issue. that is just some literal part of the script (there is probably no script). the 'you' is not you or me or anyone in particular but just someone as acconci says it a couple of times. this is one of the pivotal works about television, alienation, reality in video and behind it, body and absence, etc, etc. today very few still think of it. tv is too strong for today's numb generations.

[Jr3ims]

@Daniellachona I have to know all the songs for my art history class. Is there any chance that you know all the songs that are played in this piece?

[Daniellachona]

the doors <3



[jas16899]

I was first exposed to this film when several girls at a museum said they were creeped out by it. My own mother had an adverse reaction to his work. That, is art.

[carOliinaChiise]

... mad voice... this kind of things make me think a lot of the night hehe

[Annodamydal]

I love his voice so much, but it oddly reminds me of something I'd see in Penn Station while I'm waiting for the 12:11 home...

[Gongeman76]

This is a great video from Acconci. Every Detail was planed out meticulous by him from the amount of cigarettes he smoked, how fast he smoked them, to when he changed tapes, what music he played, and so on. He makes it look like he is just lying back and doing nothing but making a regular video for fun but in actuality he is presenting a bold display of the artist breaking the forth wall and confronting the audience watching. Very cool video, always good to see.