Juan Downey

Born in Santiago, Chile, Juan Downey studied in Paris and New York City. He was already experimenting with audio delays and instant playback when he heard about video in 1966. In early work, he created electronic environments and multi-channel installations. Beginning in 1971, Downey took a portable 1/2-inch camera and embarked on what he termed “cultural expeditions” through Mexico and Central and South America; in the process he created tapes that combine autobiography and anthropology. His later work (Las Meninas, 1975, and The Looking Glass, 1981) meditates on architecture and psychology.