Woody Vasulka

Explanation, 1974

In Explanation, Woody uses the pattern of the Broadcast Signal Generator, whose shapes are displayed on the Scan Processor deflected in shape and scale through processing of the audio/video signal. Here both audio and video equally present the transformative processes affecting the initial form, a dot or a crosshatch. In this case, the "image" is keyed (using the Multikeyer) over an artificial "landscape" and fed through the "ramp processor" inside the Scan Processor, which changes the voltage in the synthesizing function and is responsible for the simultaneity in generating sound and image from the same source-a source that at once shapes the visual pattern and the electronic sound of this particular "image" signal. It is exactly the oscillator (i.e., waveform generator) that is responsible for reshaping the source pattern. As the "Operating Manual" for the Scan Processor further explains: "These waveforms are also used to reshape and animate external images being processed in the synthesizer. When used in combination with other waveform generators or ramp generators, it produces waveforms that are constantly moving, or ones that change from one state to another upon command. (1) So finally, it is the same source moving sound and image simultaneously.

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(1) Bill Etra, Steve Rutt, Second draft of text for section one (of 3 sections) of the "R/E video synthesizer-operating manual" (Unpublished manuscript, New York: Rutt Electrophysics, [s.d.]) [7] p. Daniel Langlois Foundation, Steina and Woody Vasulka Fonds, VAS B44-C3.