Hervé Nisic on Electronic Cinema and the Role of the Videographer

Hervé Nisic explores the multifaceted identity of a videographer in a 1988 feature for artpress. The artist describes his practice as "electronic cinema," positioning himself variously as producer, creator, and electronic technician. Nisic questions whether one can truly inhabit the role of an artist while engaging with these diverse functions. He rejects the notion of merely transcribing reality like a magician would, instead aiming to imprint his personal perception or intention onto his work. This reflection offers insight into the evolving definition of video art during the late 1980s, capturing a moment when artists were actively negotiating their relationship to emerging electronic media. The discussion highlights the technical and conceptual dimensions of video production as an artistic medium. Nisic's approach emphasizes intentionality over simple documentation, marking a deliberate artistic stance within electronic cinema.