Ascension (Edition 1 of 3)

Artist Bill Viola (American, 1951 - 2024)

Date2000

DimensionsApprox. room dimensions: 14’ x 18’6” x 25’
Approx. dimensions of projection wall: 9’ x 10’

MediumSingle-channel color video projection on white wall in an entirely darkened room, two channels amplified sound, 10 min.

ClassificationTime-Based Media

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey; Gift of Arthur J. Secor and Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Alfred Bader, by exchange

Object number

2013.180

Not on View

DescriptionThe artwork’s specifications are usefully descriptive: “Single-channel color video projection on white wall in an entirely darkened room, two channels amplified sound, 10 min.”

Published ReferencesBuck, Louisa, "Bill Viola: The Passions at the National Gallery," The Art Newspaper, London Reviews, Museums and Galleries, No. 140, October 2003, p. 12

Fernandez, Olga, “Fundacion ‘la Caixa,’ The Passions, Bill Viola,” arco 05, Contemporary Art, Arco Special, Madrid (2005)

Gallegos, Carina, “The Passions at the National Gallery, London,” Art Nexus 3, no. 52 (2004)

Harvey, Doug, “The Video Passions of Bill Viola,” LA Weekly (24–30 January 2003)

Muthnic, Suzanne, “Bill Viola: The Passions,” ArtNews, National Reviews (June 2003): 120.

Exhibition HistoryLos Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum; London, National Gallery; Munich, Pinakotheks of the Bayerische Staatsgemaeldesammlungen, Bill Viola: The Passions, 2003-2004. [this list of venues is provided by James Cohan Gallery; however, the artist’s website and the Getty’s website names the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, instead of the Pinakotheks]

Madrid, Fundacion ‘la Caixa,’ Bill Viola: The Passions, 2005.

Spain, Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada, Palacio de Carlos V, Bill Viola: Las Horas Invisibles, 2007.

Rome, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Bill Viola: Visioni interiori, 2008

Naples, Italy, Museo di Capodimente, Incontri con Caravaggio: Bill Viola per Capodimente, 2010