Gretchen Bender's 2013 Retrospective at The Kitchen Reveals Her Prophetic Media Critique

From August 27 to October 5, 2013, "Tracking the Thrill," a retrospective of video artist Gretchen Bender (1951-2004), was presented at The Kitchen in New York City, with Philip Vanderhyden as curator. The exhibition highlighted Bender’s innovative fusion of fine art and commercial television, showcasing pieces such as "Wild Dead" (1984) alongside her contributions to "America's Most Wanted" and music videos for Megadeth and New Order. An 18-minute video installation titled "Total Recall," created in 1987, occupied the lower level, featuring 24 monitors and three projection screens. Bender's work offered a critique of media consumption and the persuasive language of advertising, reflecting the cultural climate of the Reagan era. Although part of the "Pictures Generation," she received less recognition than her contemporaries, suggesting her significance is now being more fully acknowledged.