The video was created in the first half of April 2020, while the world was rapidly overwhelmed by coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, and most countries were in lockdown. Physical contact was identified as the main cause of infection and to be absolutely avoided. Social distancing of at least 1,5mt was mandatory, and masks strongly recommended if not prescribed, to protect ourself and others.
In this video I visualize the tensions of this situation: the sorrow for those who fell ill and those who died, the fear to become infected and the frustration to keep friends and loved ones at safe distance. In the end I imagine the liberation and the beauty of the time when we can hug each other again: it will feel like the magic of your first romantic kiss ever.
“The First After-Corona Kiss” won the award Premio Borgo 2022 of gallery La scala d’oro, Rome.
On February 23, 2023, there will be a screening of selected videos in the Sala della Chiesa Valdese, Rome – see Screening of 12 videos by Maria Korporal
Screenings and presentations:
• March 8-24, 2024: Corporeazione. La sacralità di una lotta moderna, Palazzo Caccia Canali, Sant’Oreste RM, Italy.
• June 23, 2023: Cuerpo Transparente 2nd edition, Universidad Nacional de Artes, Área Transdepartamental de Crítica de Artes, Buenos Aires, Argentina. See also linktr.ee and instagram for updates and links.
• February 23, 2023: Screening of 12 videos by Maria Korporal in the context of Premio Borgo Video, curated by gallery La scala d’oro, Sala Dionigi (Chiesa Valdese), Rome, Italy.
• December 17, 2022: Cuerpo Transparente, facade of Audiovisual Producción Center Leonardo Favio, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• November 3-18, 2022: IMAGE PLAY ► International Video Art Festival 2022 (PT), curated by Hernando Urrutia.
• November 1, 2021 – March 27, 2022: Transborda III, Q-TV, curated by Alberto Guerreiro in the Festival Books & Movies, Alcobaça, Portugal.
• November 8-11, 2021: Festival Internacional de Videoarte SPMAV, Pelotas (BR). Screening stil online, click here
• October 30, 2021 and ongoing: Miami New Media Festival (RAW Selection), several venues in all parts of the world.
• November 12 – December 13, 2020: 33rd Festival Les Instants Vidéo 2020, Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille.
• June 19 – July 26, 2020: UPDATE 20 “ART IS NOT CANCELLED”, Galerie VBK, Berlin.
• June 9, 2020: Connect 2020 – International Videoarts Festival, The Firehouse Cultural Center, Ruskin (Florida).
• May 25, 2020 and ongoing: The Crown of the Corona, online exhibition curated by Boris Kostadinov, Artqol.
• April 23 – May 31, 2020: Maria Korporal Monography. Selected works 2008-2020, on VisualcontainerTV
title: The First After-Corona Kiss
technique: Experimental video and animation
length: 4’05”
year: 2020
photos of the artist: Astrid Astra Indricane
music in the first scene: Live Set for My Castle of Quiet (excerpt) by Thomas Carnacki with Jesse Quattro
music in the last scene: Breathing by Spectacular Sound Productions
concept, images, animation, effects and montage: Maria Korporal
© Maria Korporal 2020
