Image courtesy of Josh Booth

Interview: Josh Booth 

Luca Curci talks with artist Josh Booth during Venice Experimental Video and Performance Art Festival exhibition in Venice on September 2015.

Josh Booth is a media artist who works in sound and video. His compositions range from generative installations to performances. Some notable events include (un)Scene Art Show (NYC), Mantis Festival (UK), Aperture Foundation (a performance for Rinko Kawauchi’s “Ametsuchi” exhibition) (NYC), Innovation in Music 2015 (UK), Prague Quadrennial – Sound Kitchen (CZ), xCoAx 2015 Festival – Center for Contemporary Arts (Scotland). He has also worked as a coproducer/cowriter with the hip-hop group dälek (as Joshua Booth) on Ipecac Recordings since 1998. He is a Ph.D candidate in composition at Rutgers University Mason Gross where he studied with Charles Wuorinen.

Image courtesy of Josh Booth

Luca Curci – Can you talk about your personal experience in Venice? What did you think about the whole organization of the event, the artists’ selection, the communication management and opening nights?

Josh Booth – Unfortunately I was unable to attend the festival.

Image courtesy of Josh Booth

L. C. – What do you think about the collaboration between It’s LIQUID and Ca’ Zanardi/Venice Art House?

J. B. – The transformation of the palace into an art house of contemporary experimental works allows for people to experience either a continuity or discontinuity between past and present. In either case, it is inspiring.

Image courtesy of Josh Booth

L. C. – Can you talk about the artwork you presented in Venice? How is it linked with the festival’s theme?

J. B. – I presented an audio – video piece called Juniper. It was created using an algorithm I built in Max/ MSP/ Jitter. The algorithm’s architecture is the subject of my dissertation. In line with the festival’s theme, the piece is essentially an experimental narrative in which audio and visual patterns unfold in a nonlinear manner.

Image courtesy of Josh Booth

L. C. – What are you currently working on?

J. B. – I am currently working on an audio piece.After completing an audio – video work I tend to find a nice balance working strictly within a musical framework.

L. C. – What is art for you?

J. B. – Art for me is an experience, not an object.

Image courtesy of Josh Booth

L. C. – What do you think about International ArtExpo and It’s LIQUID organizations? Do you think they can represent an opportunity for artists?

J. B. – ArtExpo and It’s LIQUID organizations offer some incredible opportunities for artists to exhibit their work internationally. I am very thankful to have been a part it.

Artist statement:
“I am interested in the notion of control systems as a force for disorientation where strange encounters both intimate and meaningless occur at the gridded intersections of peoples’ lives”.