Phyllis Baldino

In early March, I traveled to France from New York to install my piece, u_n_d_e_r_w_a_t_e_r, at Videoformes. It is a three-channel synced installation about sea level rise, shot underwater in my Brooklyn studio. The Videoformes exhibitions were open for just two days before they were forced to close as France began its period of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My flight back home to NY was canceled, as many were. The date of my departure constantly changes due to continued volatility. My next confirmed flights are in mid-June, the 9th attempt. Until the plane is actually flying over the Atlantic, it is hard to believe my current flight status. I am lucky and grateful to have a place to stay here during this time in limbo, due to the amazing Videoformes staff. The support of the staff has been essential.

run the gamut is a short piece I made here in France, during the isolation period. Many thoughts and emotions run through my mind daily – and sleep does not come easy. I am at a loss for words so this piece tries to convey what I cannot say. That said, I worked with limited resources. During confinement, no one was allowed to go outside at will. All the footage was shot on the plane from New York and here in Clermont-Ferrand, France. My internet connection was slow, so the buffering loops end up being another form of waiting and uncertainty.