Creativity is not the property of artists alone. It's a basic element of the human character, no matter what culture you're in, no matter where you are on Earth or in history. Bill Viola artistbasiccharacter Change image and share on social
Art is, for me, the process of trying to wake up the soul. Because we live in an industrialized, fast-paced world that prefers that the soul remain asleep. Bill Viola artasleepfast Change image and share on social
I spend a lot of time writing. I get inspiration from texts rather than images. Bill Viola imageinspirationlot Change image and share on social
The human brain is probably one of the most complex single objects on the face of the earth; I think it is, quite honestly. Bill Viola braincomplexearth Change image and share on social
Since the time of St. Jerome, it was mandatory for any kind of scholar or thinker to spend time out in the desert in solitude. It's no coincidence that the desert has been a major part of the visionary or mystical experience from the beginning of time. Bill Viola begincoincidencedesert share on social
The world is fine and everything is normal and then, bang, you just get bowled over by the wrathful deities somehow. That happens in very small ways and happens in very large ways when you have a major conflagration in the world. It's another cycle of existence of human beings. Bill Viola bangbeingbowl share on social
Vision connects you. But it also separates you. In my work, and my life, I feel a desire to merge. Not in terms of losing my own identity... but there's a feeling that life is interconnected, that there's life in stones and rocks and trees and dirt, like there is in us. Bill Viola connectdesiredirt share on social
One of the most important things for me in terms of my working method is doubt. I get very insecure about my ideas. And I don't say 'insecure' in kind of a paranoid way. I mean just: 'Are they good enough?' 'Is this the right thing to do?' I really beat myself up over that. Bill Viola beatdoubtgood share on social
Video artists being at the low end of the totem pole economically, one of the ways we survive is to go around showing work and giving these talks. Bill Viola artisteconomicallyend Change image and share on social
The very first video experience I had was in high school. They brought a black-and-white closed-circuit surveillance camera into the classroom. I will never forget, as a kid, looking at that image. Bill Viola blackbringcamera Change image and share on social
