The Love Tapes

The Love Tapes - Wendy Clarke

The Love Tapes
Friday, February 14th, 2025
Doors 6:30pm / Film starts 7:00pm
Tickets $10 / VPES Members $5

Screening followed by a garden reception

In 1977, the artist Wendy Clarke began The Love Tapes series in Los Angeles. In a 10'x10' cubicle that was part recording studio and part confessional, people spoke directly into the camera to share their experiences of love. Developing from Clarke’s own video diaries, the still-ongoing project has expanded to include 2,500 tapes from people around the world. Filmed in museums, prisons, women’s shelters, nursing homes, hospice centers, malls and schools, and broadcast on public television throughout the 80s, The Love Tapes is an archive of feeling, and a communal valentine to ourselves and each other.
 
“The Los Angeles series was made by setting up a camera and monitor in a small room. Each person sat alone and was asked to talk about his or her feelings about love for three minutes, while being videotaped. Each person was asked to begin speaking when the music started and to stop when the music was over. After the individual tapes were made, I assembled the people as a group. Together they watched all of the tapes, including their own. The entire process was developed so that people can experience firsthand their own creativity and ability to make art.” —Wendy Clarke, 1978

Co-organized with Anya Ventura.

The Love Tapes floor plan - Wendy Clarke

Love Tapes cartoon