Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Steve Gompf

Steve Gompf's art is not just one thing. First there are the objects: Televisors. Televisors were the early precursors of televisions. There is a website called teleseum.org where you can find out more about the fascinating history of these devices. Except... well, this is also the art of Steve Gompf. He has created an entire alternate history of the early years of television that adhere's closely enough to the bizarre truth that it all seems plausible. It isn't. But the fact that he makes it seem so is a testament to his art. But there's more. He also creates the video loops that play on his alternate historical apparatuses, mutated into little nightmares mostly from old Eadweard Muybridge work (see some here). He also works with sound and music but as I'm unfamiliar with this aspect of his work I can say nothing about it except this; if it's on a par with everything else he does it's probably brilliant. Let me just add that if you are ever in the Phoenix area, go out of your way to look at one of his brilliantly restored gems from an era that never really was.
You can also follow him on Facebook.






















Schafer & Son Televisor 1919 American






















Televisor 1910 German























Federal Style Televisor 1928 American




















Harvath Televisor 1912 Austro-Hungarian


























Ansonia Televisor 1894 American

2 comments:

  1. i live in phoenix and have seen steve's work many times. it never ceases to amaze me.

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  2. His work Is Crazy sauce with wonder sprinkels.

    ReplyDelete