Diana Thater's 'Oo Fifi, Five Days In Claude Monet's Garden, Part 3': A Transformative Video Installation at LACMA
A new permanent large-scale video installation by artist Diana Thater is set to debut under the bridge formed over Wilshire Boulevard by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s David Geffen Galleries. The piece, titled “Oo Fifi, Five Days In Claude Monet’s Garden, Part 3,” will be the largest work of Thater’s career and the first permanent outdoor video installation in a public space. The installation will run about seven hours from sundown to sunrise, showcasing footage of Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny, France, on a 59-feet-wide by 21-feet-high building wall and part of the bridge’s ceiling.
The video installation will feature footage of Monet’s garden, including giant yellow black-eyed Susan flowers, swaying plants, sunflowers, pink asters, golden marigolds, and more, creating an ever-shifting landscape. Thater and LACMA Director and CEO Michael Govan have a long history of collaboration, with Govan being instrumental in bringing Thater’s vision to life at the museum. The installation test revealed the ethereal beauty of the piece, with technical adjustments made throughout the night to ensure its seamless operation.
Thater’s use of film, video, light, and sound has made her a prominent figure in contemporary art for nearly four decades. Her inspiration from Monet’s Impressionist work is evident in her new installation, which pays homage to the innovative spirit of the renowned artist. Thater’s journey to create this piece after the loss of her home and belongings in a fire has been both challenging and liberating, culminating in a breakthrough moment for her artistic practice.
The new video installation represents a significant milestone for Thater and the medium of video art, showcasing the potential for innovation and inspiration in the field. Thater’s hope is that this work will leave a lasting impact on future generations of artists and viewers, continuing the legacy of creativity and exploration in the realm of video art. The installation promises to be a captivating and transformative experience for all who encounter it, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the beauty and wonder of Monet’s garden through Thater’s unique artistic lens.