Date of the event

1997

author of the depicted work

Ihor Husiev (1970)

Location

• Odesa Fine Arts Museum (Odesa, 5A Sofiivska Street)

Measurements

0:00:45

Description

Igor Gusev’s video installation “Put Your Hand” offers an unexpected interactive experience. A monitor is installed in front of the viewer on a high stand, which continuously shows terrific footage of military newsreels with killing of prisoners or civilians, reports of torture and executions in countries with dictatorial regimes. A black panel with a large red button is located on the table in front of the monitor. On the button there is an announcement “Put your hand”. When a person presses a button, an image of her/his palm appears in the middle of the display, as if penetrating through the screen.

This large green palm is superimposed over the newsreels and stops them.

This installation explores the idea of interaction between man and technology, as well as the border between reality and the virtual world. By putting our hand and pressing the button, we stop the translation of the newsreel on the nearby monitor. It seems very simple, although ordinary people may not understand the technical processes taking place during the action.

However, this installation has another socio-philosophical aspect. As you know, the phrase “Put a hand” also means a person’s involvement in the processes in society. Everyone should be able to try to stop evil. By putting her/his hand to the button, a person demonstrates the willingness to stop atrocities.

But it is clear to everyone that this device is an artistic object. It is not connected to the mass media or the Internet, and the fact of pressing the button will have no effect on the political situation in the world. Then why click? Just for curiosity? What does it mean for us to be able to interact with virtual objects, which, in fact, do not exist materially? There are no approved answers to these questions. The only thing that is known is that people actively pressed the button at the exhibition.
 

Location of documents

Archive of the Museum of Odesa Modern Art