Vasilis Karvounis / Sick ;) hahahaha
The term 'computer virus' was first formally defined by Fred Cohen in 1983, is a type of malicious software that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be infected with a computer virus. It can self-replicate, inserting itself onto other programs or files, infecting them in the process. Not all computer viruses are destructive though. However, most of them perform actions that are malicious in nature, such as destroying data.
The project "Sick ;) hahahaha" is a video documentation of a computer's screen which shows the ways and the side effects of a virus infecting a computer system. Think of it as a biological virus which attacs a human immune system disturbing its nervous system, causing paranoia and making it inadequate to cope with. Imagine it as a parable between the real world and the virtual world, exploring human-computer and societal-internet relationships.
Vasilis Karvounis is a visual artist born in 1982 in Athens, where he lives and works. He studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts and holds an Integrated Master of Arts degree. In his work he uses film, video and video installation through various practices.
He has presented his work at international exhibitions and festivals including, "We must take action! / Devemos Agir!" 22th Cerveira International Art Biennial, Foundation Art Biennial of Cerveira (2022) ; Miami New Media Festival, Doral Contemporary Art Museum-DORCAM, Maimi (2020) ; "Universal Data" 2nd Biennale of Contemporary Art, Modern and Contemporary Art Museum Beruit (2019) ; "Offline Browser" 6th Taiwan International Video Art, Hong-Gah Museum Taipei (2018) ; Film and Video Poetry Symposium, Los Angeles Center For Digital Art (2018) ; Aviff Cannes Art Film Festival (2018) ; The Venice Vending Machine Project, Tate Liverpool (2018) ; "Turbulence Area" 5th Odessa Biennale of Contemporary Art, Museum of Odessa Modern Art (2017) ; Art Video International, Jerusalem Film Museum (2016) ; 7th Cairo Video Festival, Medrar for Contemporary Art (2015) ; "Pour une libre circulation des corps et des désirs", 27th Instants Vidéo, la Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille (2014) ; 8th ISFF Athens International Short Film Festival Psarokokalo (2014) ; TAA_Tent Academies Awards, "Award for the best foreign film", Tent Rotterdam (2013).