Gil Pasternak - Artist

Gil Pasternak’s work is involved with the popular perception of imagery in the world and the language of visual propaganda. Through his photographic and video work, he aims to undermine the conditions of seeing, and break down what is passive in the viewer. His method is to take images, such as stills from news programs, out of context, thus destabilising their original meaning. Another strategy is the subversion of cutting-edge technology: the conversion of a digital format into a pinhole camera, in a deliberate twist of the concept of progress.

“My work is concerned with the studies of perception, recognition and representation in relation to cultural norms. My prime interest addresses the way in which photography and its descendants are perceived in contemporary western culture.

“Historically, since the 19th century, photography has been established and used as an instrument of inspection and classification of the masses. During the 20th century especially, photography became a tool for creating images as both ‘invisible’ propaganda and commodity. All of these applications may be exercised only when accompanied by the culturally influenced ability to identify and recognise images as a representation or substitution for the real.

“Today, new technology undermines the analogue condition of ‘traditional’ photography. ‘Authentic’ images may be produced and presented as a photograph without the existence of any original object apart from the image itself. This new condition of the image is explored in my work. I try to bypass and obstruct new technology, or use it improperly. My aim is to destabilise our ways of seeing and perceiving as observers whilst confronting images, thus exempting control.”