Zlatko Cosic 'Speaks Up' With His Video Art
The Communication Division is filled with creative
people who use their expertise in video production to create programs
for CITY TV 10.
Zlatko
Cosic, part time video producer for CITY TV 10, uses
his skill in video production as a base to create a wide variety
of multi-media art that ranges from short movies, multi-media
performances, public projections, video installations and live
video productions. He had two films shown in this year’s St. Louis
Filmmakers Showcase. see
related story >>
Cosic’s
latest project “LookTalkListen”
is in the show “Speak
Up St. Louis!” American Democracy Project Redux,
a multi-media exhibit on view from now to Sunday, August 26 at
The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd.
"Speak Up, St. Louis!" is curated by Michael Crane,
Director, Art Center Gallery, University of Central Missouri.
Cosic’s
video installation “LookTalkListen”
intertwines issues of perception, understanding and community
action in our current democracy; such as surveillance, privacy,
fear, media, politics, government actions, perceived freedom,
injustice, political inactivity and community unawareness.
Cosic describes his work:
“What
we see, say and hear varies from culture to culture, generation
to generation and person to person. Do we actively look, talk
and listen? Who looks, talks and listens for us? Do we say what
we wish? Can we see the truth? Do we hear? What should we believe?
Our eyes? Our words? Our ears? Exercise your freedom. LookTalkListen.”
Zlatko
Cosic knows how it feels to be watched. For this refugee, it began
in Bosnia where he experienced firsthand the heavy surveillance
of his local government during the war. As his rights were slowly
stripped from him, Cosic dreamed of America-of freedom and democracy.
Although he has lived in St. Louis since 1997, the video artist
still remembers his life in Former Yugoslavia and uses his work
to reflect his feelings.
Cosic is one of 40 artists who raise their voices
to address the complex issues facing America in “Speak
Up St. Louis.” The show addresses everything from
identity and homelessness to bureaucracy and poverty and gives
local artists a chance to voice their opinions with the goal of
engaging and informing St. Louisans.
Cosic
uses the medium of video to spread awareness. “Surveillance is
killing democracy and freedom. It makes people afraid to act and
participate,” he says.
At the “Speak
Up St. Louis” exhibition, Cosic is watching you.
His video installation LookTalkListen
projects video images of eyes, ears, and mouths onto a wall, forcing
people to experience what it’s like to be watched.
“Speak
Up St. Louis” is a continuation of the
American Democracy Project, which began in 2003 to
combat the decline in political and cultural participation, especially
among the country’s youth.
Sources:
www.art-stl.com/Gallery-Democracy.cfm
www.eyeproduction.com/projects/looktalklisten
www.cmsu.edu/acg/raiseyourvoice
CITY TV 10
Communications Division
City of St. Louis
CITY
TV 10 web site
