Bill Viola: Wizje Czasu / Visions of Time

Photo by Kira Perov © Bill Viola Studio

Bill Viola was one of the first contemporary artists to embrace video technology as a medium for artistic creation. He developed a distinctive approach to installations, integrating moving images with profound philosophical inquiry and an in-depth study of the old masters of painting, particularly those from the 13th to the 17th century. He meticulously studied and explored the evolving electronic techniques of image and sound recording, as well as their projection, up to the advent of the digital era. This breakthrough enabled him to uncover and illuminate for viewers the intricate physiological and psychological dimensions of visual perception- both shaped by human emotions and reflecting them.

While many video artists concentrated primarily on the conceptual aspects of their work, Viola refined the aesthetic form of his creations with extraordinary reverence. Over time, his installations transcended painterly compositions evoking awe, while simultaneously unsettling and surprising viewers with the visual effects and associations they provoke.

Drawing on shared elements of Eastern and Western traditions, his moving images often evoke a strange sense of déjà vu, at times directly referencing iconographic themes from the history of painting, while elsewhere documenting the metamorphosis of human physical and psychological states.

The exhibition, presenting 32 installations, is the result of cooperation between two institutions - the private Tumult Foundation, co-organizer of the CAMERIMAGE festival, and the CoCA "Znaki Czasu". Previous cooperation between the two institutions resulted in the creation of many projects, including exhibitions of artists such as David Lynch, Marina Abramović, Helmut Newton, Patricia Piccinini, Saskia Boddeke, Peter Greenaway and Julian Rosefeldt.

The presentation of Bill Viola's works in Toruń is a huge scale project. In order to provide the right conditions for the reception of his works, specially designed spaces were created in CoCA "Znaki Czasu".

"It’s as if we built four single-family houses inside an exhibition hall of 1000 square meters and 8 meters of heigh", says Marek Żydowicz, curator of the exhibition. Each of them covers approximately 130 square meters, is constructed with thick 6 meter high walls, and 5 meter high ceiling. The entire structure has been insulated with accoustic mineral wool, allowing viewers to fully focus on experiencing the artworks. Achieving this level of construction quality which meets the expectations of Bill Viola Studio, was possible thanks to the support of Saint-Gobain (Isover, Rigips and Ecophon).

Establishing the necessary structures has also started at the Tumult Foundation building, where 9 works will be presented, including the famous Inverted Birth, which metaphorically shows the ambiguity of our path from birth to death.

In these unique spaces, projection devices will be installed, allowing the presentation of Viola's works in a way consistent with the artist's intentions. In both venues the necessary equipment and exceptional installation expertise were provided by the company 235 Media from Cologne.

The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue of nearly 200 pages, edited by Marek Żydowicz and Kira Perov, featuring a compelling interview with Bill Viola conducted by John Hanhardt.

"Bill Viola was a pioneer in the use of video techniques in art and one of the greatest contemporary artists. I invite everyone to the largest exhibition of his remarkable works ever held in Poland. In Bilbao, his works were seen by over 700,000 people. I hope that attendance in Toruń will also be high", said Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

The exhibition was open from July 24 to December 31, 2025.

CoCA "Znaki Czasu":

The Reflecting Pool (1977-9/1997)

Incrementation (1996)

The Veiling (1995)

The Greeting (1995)

Four Hands (2001)

The Quintet of the Astonished (2000)

Anima (2000)

Ascension (2000)

The Messenger (1996)

Interval (1995)

Pneuma (1994/2009)

The Crossing (1996)

Room for St. John of the Cross (1983)

Works presented as part of the Videotape Program in the cinema of the CoCA "Znaki Czasu":

Program 1:

The Space Between the Teeth, 1976

Sweet Light, 1977

Ancient of Days, 1979-81

Anthem, 1983

Angel’s Gate, 1989

Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat), 1979

Program 2:

The Passing, 1991

Program 3:

Hatsu-Yume (First Dream), 1981

Program 4:

I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like, 1986

Tumult Foundation:

Inverted Birth (2014)

Earth Martyr (2014)

Air Martyr (2014)

Fire Martyr (2014)

Water Martyr (2014)

Three Women (2008)

Gleb (2013)

Madison (2013)

Sharon (2013)

Organizers: Tumult Foundation / EnergaCAMERIMAGE Festival

CoCA "Znaki Czasu" in Toruń

Curators: Marek Żydowicz and Kira Perov

Director of the CoCA "Znaki Czasu": Anna Kompanowska

Coordinator: Agnieszka Swoińska

Production: Michał Prewysz-Kwinto

Installation of the exhibition: Ulrich Leistner, Ludger Hennig (235 Media), Radosław Radecki (MaxBud), Wojciech Rumiński (CoCA "Znaki Czasu"), Adam Żuchliński

Marketing: Aleksandra Śmiechowska, Dorota Wąsik, Urszula Gawlak-Kuś, Aleksandra Paprocka

Collaboration: Joanna Górska, Janusz Grocki, Joanna Kalińska, Karolina Kowalska, Anna Kozik, Robert Małkiewicz, Daria Pysiak, Oliwia Tracz

Conservator of the CoCA "Znaki Czasu": Mirosław Wachowiak

The exhibition was organized in cooperation with BILL VIOLA STUDIO

Executive director: Kira Perov

Technical director and the exhibition designer: Bobby Jablonski

Curatorial coordination: Gene Zazzaro

Archives: Astra Price

Exhibition album production:

Typesetting: Dorota Wąsik

Translation: Mateusz Graj

Editing: Marek Żydowicz, Magdalena Sobolewska, Michał Prewysz-Kwinto

Collaboration: Kira Perov/Bill Viola Studio, Monika Jasińska, Marcelina Jarmolińska, Anna Stefańska

Special thanks to Elisabeth Zachella- The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

The Organizers would like to express their gratitude to Piotr Całbecki – Marshal of the Kujawy- Pomorze Region, Paweł Gulewski – Mayor of City of Toruń, Adam Szponka – Deputy Mayor of City of Toruń, and Edyta Macieja-Morzuch – Director of the Promotion Department at the Marshal's Office of the Kujawy- Pomorze Region. Without their invaluable support, the realization of the exhibition would not have been possible.

The Organizers also extend their thanks to Bill Viola Studio for lending the works presented at the exhibition, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and The El Paso Natural Gas Fund for California Art for kindly lending Room for St. John of the Cross.

Special thanks to Tom Callas, as well as Agnieszka Trybulec, Monika Samocka (Saint-Gobain Construction Products Polska), and Joanna Pepłowska (MPO Sp. z o.o. in Toruń).

The main partner of the exhibition is the Self-Government of the Kujawy- Pomorze Region.

The exhibition is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland and City of Toruń.