Bill Viola

Bill Viola (born in New York on January 25, 1951, and passed away in Long Beach on July 12, 2024) was an American artist regarded as one of the pioneers of video art. Raised in Queens, Viola had a childhood marked by a traumatic experience: at the age of six, during a vacation, he nearly drowned in a lake, an event from which he was saved by his uncle. This experience, which he described as "the most beautiful of his life, peaceful and fearless," profoundly influenced his artistic practice, leading him to frequently incorporate water in his works.

After studying at Syracuse University, where he delved into experimental studies and met David Ross, who would become his first curator, Viola moved to Florence. There, he worked with art/tapes/22 and had the opportunity to meet artists such as Jannis Kounellis, Mario Merz, and Vito Acconci.

His career is distinguished by innovation in new media and installations, creating immersive environments that explore fundamental human experiences such as birth, consciousness, and death. His work is characterized by a profound reflection on existence, aesthetics, and spirituality, inviting the audience to explore consciousness, beauty, and universal emotions, including the pain of loss and the joy of love.

Viola consistently sought to translate his ideas into accessible visual forms, developing works that challenge communicative conventions and invite contemplative experiences. His artistic vision has renewed the dialogue on contemporary art, connecting with great names in art history, including Michelangelo, to construct a visual language that transcends time and space.