77 Million Paintings: detail
Viewing guide
This resource contains a series of interviews with filmmaker Nick Robertson. He talks about the sound and image installation, 77 Million Paintings created by musician Brian Eno.
The interviews cover aspects such as the concept behind the installation, processes of production and some of Eno’s influences. The final video is a 29-minute segment of the installation.
In 2009, Brian Eno curated the Vivid Sydney Festival and 77 Million Paintings was shown inside the Sydney Opera House.
During the video, think about these questions:
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How do you think the images and sound in the installation were made?
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What kinds of words might you use to describe this segment of the installation?
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What kind of atmosphere and feelings are created for viewers? Think about the pace of the installation.
Think about the message the installation is attempting to convey to viewers.
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Considering the busy, inner city location of the installation, why might Eno have created such a slow-paced work?
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Would you prefer to view an installation that combines sound and image, or a painting in an art gallery? Why?
Vivid Sydney, and related classroom discussion and viewing guides, enables students to:
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explore the features of installations developed by current artists whose work is acknowledged for its significance (Higher-order thinking)
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use the metalanguage of arts criticism and language use (Metalanguage)
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learn through focusing questions that knowledge is socially constructed with multiple layers and personal interpretations (Problematic knowledge)
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recognise, acknowledge and value substantial cultural knowledge (Cultural knowledge)
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recognise and explore connections to values and attitudes. Through the artist’s work, students can reflect on the way the artwork affects the perception of self in the modern world (Connectedness)
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experience specialist expertise (the interviewee) and develop an understanding of the role of the artist and of the concepts and ideas that inform and motivate the creation of their artworks (Deep knowledge).
This resource supports the Board of Studies, Teaching & Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) Creative Arts Syllabus in the following subject areas:
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Music 7-10: 4.7, 4.10, 4.11 and 5.7, 5.10, 5.11
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Music 1 (Preliminary & HSC): P4, P5, P6, P8 and H4, H5, H6, H8
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Visual Arts 7-10: 4.2, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10 and 5.7, 5.8, 5.9
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Photographic and Digital Media 7-10: 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10 and LS.5, LS.7
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Visual arts (Preliminary): P2, P3, P7, P8, P9, P10
Websites to extend students’ learning:
Interview with Brian Eno, from Time 2013
Article about Brian Eno curating the 2009 Vivid Festival, from ABC News 2009
Approximately six minutes of the audio and visual installation 77 Million Paintings. No dialogue. Ambient music created by Brian Eno.
Videos
77 Million Paintings: detail
77 Million Paintings: description
77 Million Paintings: components
77 Million Paintings: layers of sound
77 Million Paintings: generative process
77 Million Paintings: comparing installations
77 Million Paintings: technology
77 Million Paintings: DVD experience
77 Million Paintings: influences on Brian Eno
