TV-LANDSCAPES / VIRTUAL NEWS
Digital c-prints, since 2005 - Work in Progress, sizes variable

TV Landscapes are photography-based collages which show catastrophic or horrific scenes. The images are constructed mainly out of screen-shots taken from TV, re-staging the newsworthy subjects of mass media. The aesthetics of this body of work deal with the ethical conundrum of the artist when dealing with images of pain and suffering. What are the implications of showing catastrophic scenes in a “beautiful” way? Is there any way to feel the others’ pain? Could or should catastrophes even be represented?

In dealing with images from mass media, Vardarman’s use of what the viewers recognize as magazine or advertisement photography create a closed circuit. The mode of presentation is used in producing an artistic representation. What are the differences between Vardarman’s images and the images that we see every day? It is this ambiguity that makes viewers question why they even look at images of catastrophe in the first place.

(Images are a selection from the series.)