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Umbrellas And Disco Balls: The Video Art Of Lea Van Steen

A peak at MTV Brazil pioneer Lea Van Steen’s recent work.

Still from Jukebox.

Twenty years ago, Lea Van Steen‘s mission was to create a visual identity for MTV Brazil. At that time, she introduced a story, a language and a concept that would lay the foundation for the station’s promos—what would become the most commended and respected component of the music channel. (Watch our favorite MTV Brazil promos here.)

Having worked across the fields of advertising and film throughout her prolific career, Van Steen finally felt it was time to express her own independent artistic vision. She started out making video art, but recently has transitioned into creating video installations.

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In Chuva ("Rain") she explores a new way of relating with imagery and the way its shown. Umbrellas held by members of her audience become canvases onto which she projects images of rain (in various colors).

Jukebox will be exhibited at the upcoming Eletronika Festival in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The interactive part of the installation presents viewers with a selection of videos to choose from (channeling the spirit of the nostalgia-ridden jukebox) that are then projected in fragments all around the room with the aid of a quintessential ’70s disco ball.

To watch more of Van Steen's video art, check out her Vimeo page.