New Media in Art, 82-92

An idea that was introduced in this section of the book, in a quote from page 87, caught my attention. The quotes says, "What makes Paik's filming of the Pope or Warhol's taping of one of his 'superstars' video art?" The book says something along the lines of this being video art because Paik and Warhol are artists, and these acts of filming these other people went beyond simple documentation. These films that were produced were extensions of the artists' own artistic practices. Because of these things, video art is described as going further than film documentation. Documentation is showing something that is happening just as it happens, no additional effects or any really unusual/dramatic camera angles. Video art may involve visual affects, done practically or post-production. There is more of a message with video art. Something that takes it to a new level of meaning that is more than just "this happened at this time in this manner."