Soul in the Machine

The Art Scene, De Pere, WI | June - July 2025

Soul in the Machine is an exploration of the mystery and innate imperfections within obsolete
technology. A transformation of mechanical imagery into something expressive and
unexpectedly alive.

This video installation was made exclusively using a vintage PXL-2000 “PixelVision” camera - a small, portable analog video camera released by Fisher-Price in 1987.

With a rudimentary sensor and cassette-based recording, the PixelVision captures light in a
way that transforms motion into something both mechanical and expressive. Oversized pixels,
glitchy static, interleaved bars, and extreme contrast, give the footage a raw, kinetic energy -
where even still objects vibrate with life. The camera’s unique image processing creates visuals that feel simultaneously futuristic and nostalgic.

Extending beyond the moving image, still frames from the video have been enlarged and
printed for exhibition. These prints echo the aesthetics of old photocopiers, with deep matte blacks that absorb light and half-tone textures reminiscent of Warhol’s screen prints.

By presenting both moving and static imagery together, this installation serves as a bridge
between the ephemeral nature of video and the physicality of print; an experience that invites
viewers to perceive time, memory, and media in a new way.

Technical Process

The PixelVision’s distinct quality made it a transformational tool in its time. The camera democratized video-making, allowing young artists to explore self-produced media in new ways. To push its creative potential further, Sam repaired and modified the camera - enhancing its unique aesthetic while preserving its nostalgic charm. To maintain the analog integrity of the video, no digital filtration or eﬀects were added in post-processing. All of the visuals were created strictly in-camera.

About the Artist:

Samuel Karow is a Midwest-based video artist and filmmaker whose work merges personal narrative with analog technology to explore memory and perception. His films have screened at over 50 festivals, and his installation work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including the Wisconsin Artists Biennial at MOWA.