Luminaries: Leah Wilson on Bill Viola’s “The Crossing”

Spring Creek Podcast

Today’s “Luminaries” guest is Leah Wilson, a place-specific visual artist and writer. Leah’s artwork is informed by physical engagement with the environment, keen observation, and a curiosity toward ecological research. Her art has been exhibited at galleries throughout the West Coast and her work is in public and private collections, including the Percent for Art Collection at Oregon State University.

During this episode, Leah recounts her experience witnessing a video installation called “The Crossing” by video artist Bill Viola. She shares how, in the nearly three decades since she first saw the installation, it has impacted her relationships with fire and water.

Bill Viola is an internationally celebrated artist who has been instrumental in establishing video as a vital form of contemporary art. In his 40-year career, he has created videotapes, architectural video installations, sound environments, electronic music performances, flat panel video pieces, and works for television broadcast. Viola’s video installations envelop the viewer in image and sound, employing state-of-the-art technologies. They are shown in museums and galleries worldwide and are found in many distinguished collections. “The Crossing” was created in 1996 and is part of the Guggenheim Museum’s collection.

“Luminaries” is produced by the Spring Creek Project at Oregon State University. This series invites people to share stories about writing and art that illuminates their environmental thinking or work.