He animates the inanimate and explores both real and imagined space. Underlying all, however, is the belief that contemporary man has lost control, both of himself and of his environment. These concerns are often expressed within a political context. Acrylic, canvas, paper, wood, cardboard, VCR, videotape, television set, dimensions variable. While other artists have explored the changing relationship between man and evolving technologies, Oursler s approach may be seen both as embracing technology, primarily TV and video, and critiquing its negative impact on the individual and society.
Television is seen as potentially addictive in terms of our dependence on it.
It becomes a surrogate family, friend, and therapist, creating an inability to distinguish between the real world and fantasy. Under these circumstances, personality breakdowns can occur. It is in this aspect of Oursler s work that visual problems occasionally occur. When material bodies and video-heads are in relative proportion to one another, the crudeness of the bodies and clothes does not detract. On occasion, though, when the clothes occupy an area that is disproportionate to the head, they remain inert and superfluous.