Write a two paragraph reflection on the practice of VJing and how it relates to the notions “liveness”, “the performative”, and the concept of “visual wallpaper”. Relate it to your own experience with work you’ve seen by VJs in a concert / club / theater setting.
VJing is a performative art that embodies the ideas of improvisation and “liveness”, where each performance is never the same. Similar to DJing, “VJing is the manipulation or selection of visuals, the same way DJing is a selection and manipulation of audio.” The art of VJing, at its core, is intrinsically linked to music, and without it, it becomes a completely separate work of art. However, there is a trend of “visual wallpaper”, where many VJ artists are dissatisfied that in many settings, often in clubs or venues, where the music overshadows their art, becoming an accessory instead of a part of the experience. Therefore, many VJ artists are struggling to find a balance when performing, making sure their audiences can equally appreciate the different aspects of the performance, not just the music or visuals.
Personally, I’ve experienced a few instances of VJing, or something close in nature. One of my favourite musical artists, Flying Lotus, uses a lot of visuals in conjunction to his performances. Based either loosely or directly to his music, the effect of having the VJ heightens the experience for the audience, as the visual accompaniment adds a new depth to the music itself.