Gallery: JREF video gallery
I have been speaking about my chosen artist, publication, institution and medium but I have not mentioned a gallery. I realised that a lot of the research I have provided on this blog is in the form of online videos and so it seemed logical for me to pursue writing about a gallery that provides me with video evidence of skepticism that could be relevant to my research in the other areas explored in this blog.
So my choice of gallery is the JREF video gallery:
http://www.randi.org/joom/video-gallery/index.php
Found on this website are many videos concerning James Randi, the foundation and various other pieces about skepticism.
These will hopefully prove to be useful in future in my own practice as I gather and develop ideas of how I can incorporate my fascination with skepticism into my own art practice.
Scientology...
I found an interesting letter from the JREF newsletter. In this letter Dan Garvin (a former Scientologist) writes to James Randi.
In this letter we discover how scientology ruined aspects of Garvin's life, and how Randi's skepticism was of great help to him. We also learn a little of Randi's opposition to the concepts and beliefs of scientology.
Though I would normally be opposed to trying to "debunk" a religion in my own work, I do not feel the same way about Scientology due to many factors that lead me to believe that it is a dangerous, money-grabbing cult. I have no problem with people being religious, but I need to draw a line when "religions" start asking for payments. This is why I would want to research more into this area, and Randi's involvement in the opposition of scientology as it is a personal disagreement that may find its way into my own practice or art.
Randi tests and debunks on British television
Unfortunetly I do not know what the name of the television programme that these clips come from is... If anyone could tell me then it would be very helpful in my research... So don't be afraid to contact me...
These public demonstrations and tests seem to be an effective way to bring skepticism to a large audience which one can interact with and get a perspective from (as seen in the first video clip).. This could be an effective approach to take in my own art by using the possibility of performance and forum to help bring skepticism to the minds of a potential audience.
These are also all very useful in my continuing research into the medium of skepticism and the work of James Randi.