PaintingsDIRECT.com Artbyte

Janet Biggs
by Jane Harris


*"Misty Sue & Durango"* by Jack Dolan

Janet Biggs is an artist and a horse trainer, so not surprisingly the sleek, equine creatures have become a part of her video and installation artwork, usually as metaphors for sexuality and power.


*Horse II* by Rachel Youens

Some of Biggs's video-based works have juxtaposed swimming horses with elderly synchronized swimmers whose movements were videotaped underwater. Contrasting the image of the powerful animal in a vulnerable position (contrary to myth, horses have to learn to swim) and a sport like swimming, which is often considered frivolous and easy even though it is very rigorous and athletic, Biggs questions prevailing ideas about strength, beauty and age.


*Red Room* by Amity De Fontaine

An installation work titled Flight also uses images of synchronized swimmers and a horse. This time, the horse lies down, dreaming in his sleep. Together with an official NASA photograph of John Glenn, the sounds of a rocket blast-off and snippets of Glenn's space-to-ground communication, as well as a spacey techno-beat sound, the entire installation conjures a sense of transcendence and escape. Calgon take me away.


*Go Beyond Your Expectations* by Wynona Diskin

Featuring works by PaintingsDirect.com artists.

For more information, check out: www.flash.net/~jbiggs

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