A Brief History of John Baldessari

[@lelebobelly3571]

I come back to this time again just to hear Tom Waits say "Biennale"

[@jynxyouowemeasoda5066]

Same

[@DaelMorris]

Same

[@zebalz]

Literally just coming back to this now. We're all connected yay

[@danisoaresduarte]

And "Jesus Christ" a few seconds later.

[@anononomous]

Also "push pins" 2:42 and "Giotto" 3:10

[@k_geokin]

Revisiting this today as I have many times throughout the years. Bye John 😢

[@pablokorona]

I think I've come back to see this at least once every 6 months for the past 8 years.

[@probablyaparent]

"Bye John". Thanks for all you did for so many, your legacy lives on in each new generation that enters our world and is inspired by your art.

[@rippendale]

best art doc ever made.

[@PatrickJasonMagic]

It indeed is the best and freshest doc i've seen!

[@fxm5715]

I come back and watch this a few times every year. Like Fishing with John, it's timeless.

[@Bronco541]

this was a fun way to learn about John Baldessari

[@ruthotero5788]

Agreed.

[@ryanmiguelmariano2576]

I really loved this presentation. A lesson from my online class brought me here. What an amazing way of delivering a ton of info within a short period of time without making the viewer bored. Excellent!

[@frankmoens5470]

No more boring art indeed! 🙂

[@micheledifrancesco1535]

I don't really leave comments but this is absolutely awesome.

[@JJ-cf7nb]

There should be some way of double liking stuff like this on youtube. And Tom Waits was a brilliant choice for the narration. Brilliant, thanks.

[@QuinnLytleFilms]

I had to watch this for a Documentary unit in film class, and I frequently come back to it.

[@JacksonKillroy]

Cool professor for showing you this. I was shown this in a contemporary art history (iirc?) class.

[@QuinnLytleFilms]

@@JacksonKillroy It was film class. The documentary unit.

[@donnymcjonny6531]

"You have to be possessed; you can't will." I like that.

[@mummyjohn]

it scares me a little

[@patrickherbermann1202]

“Talent is cheap” is another great one

[@sandyIowaCity]

Two of MY FAVORITE artists and tricksters - TOM WAITS & JOHN BALDESSARI! thank you to MIRIAM (a past collaborator!) this is amazing and will be shown in every class i teach forever forward.

[@1000pdickson]

This is how to make a doc of someon'e life. Stellar production and boy what a talent - John Baldessari! Hats off to Tom Waits for his superb narrration. Effortless. A complete masterpiece and should be essential viewing for all graphic artists and voice actors. The Piano has been Drinking....Not Me!

[@minimusminor]

I've been coming back to this video since first finding it in 2013 in design school. Thanks Ariel Schulman & Henry Joost for this wonderfully distinctive mini-doco. And thanks for it all, John. May your memory be a blessing.

[@cassdarlon7253]

An iconoclast of the highest order. I remember well his proclamation about not making any more boring art. It was the topic of much conversation in art school. He closed the gap between art and artist. With Baldessari, his art became him and he became his art. Inseparable.

[@cistacubaltimoru]

Regularly coming back for inspiration. Thank you John!

[@MinatamisNaSaginggg]

1. Talent is cheap. 2. You have to be possessed which you can't will. 3. Being at the right place at the right time.

[@BiohazardGR]

Could you or amyone explain #2? Either my english sucks or im idiot, but i cant understand the sentence "You have to be possesed which you can't will"

[@aranisles8292]

@@BiohazardGR The urge to make art comes from a demon that 'possesses' you. But you cannot make a demon possess you. That's up to the demon.

[@amenaza2798]

This is one of my favourite videos ever

[@Wanderingthroughlife66]

i can listen to tom waits all day everyday it’s like floating in butter

[@hijadelpecado]

Ah, Waits. Sometimes I forget just how much I love his voice.

[@dammmit]

I was working with Henry & Rel on Paranormal Activity 3 when they made this ....and they said the only way John would agree was to get Tom to narrate! AND then Tom said the only way he'd agree is if they drove down to where he lives which wasn't close....but they pulled it off.... just as a side project and man did they knock it outta the park.

[@HrSamstag]

By far the loveliest Tom Waits song i ever heard.

[@constancewalsh3646]

Tears. Thank you John.

[@jynxyouowemeasoda5066]

R.I.P. John Baldessari you're a legend

[@saraidavila8380]

I've never been so interested in a documentary about an artist ever in my life!! There should be more of these types of artist documentaries.

[@colecancillaartist]

Sarai Davila 100% agree

[@haar3600]

short, sweet, snappy. Loved it. Especially loved Giotto

[@t.y.5565]

I just learned of Baldessari because of an Antiques Road Show episode I watched today. What a character he was! When I looked up his work and it could just be me, it reminded me of Picasso, Warhol and Dali.

[@1959Edsel]

"John Baldessari's name is internationally recognized." "Cool." "Ladies think his name sounds sexy." "I... I can live with that."

[@patrickfergusonarchive]

Just one hell of a doc.

[@COUCHSAILORS]

I just watched a video about a subject that's never sparked my interest too much, and it was interesting! Thanks!

[@agustinagonzalez6179]

The way everything here makes prefect sense

[@neverkilledaman]

How does this not have over a million views!

[@TheLastHylianTitan]

Tyler Hughes MAKE THIS A MEME. post it to your facebook. tweet it. if you're brave, post it on 4chan. honestly, the art world needs a better meme than that ruined Jesus fresco. John Baldessari would be a great replacement.

[@theothertonydutch]

+TheLastHylianTitan You don't make something a meme.

[@TheLastHylianTitan]

Ja Kooistra well not with that attitude >:O

[@jynxyouowemeasoda5066]

Now it is 5 years later

[@r0gu3dubb]

Having seen some longer pieces on John, this one did a great job of exposing a lot of his work and how he always seems to be living at his own pace.

[@noniamo]

The Baldessari's big crunch of his work. Existentialism. Excellent video. Greetings from Spain.

[@beefycurry]

OMG! This is friggin' brilliant!! Kudos to you. What an incredible piece! Made my week.

[@StoriesAroundUs]

Happy to see the guys from Catfish are making stuff. I love that movie.

[@wesleyjohndelaney106]

That was brilliant!

[@Scarecrow5507]

This was...almost brilliant. I've seen a lot of documentary film over the years, and this puts an entirely new, self-reflexive spin on it. Very entertaining.

[@darrylmurray2261]

So much for no more boring art...

[@karenpalmer5995]

This is great! Have always been a fan of yours,too,Mr. Waits. I have 2 neighbors who also love your music. I think 3 in the middle of nowhere,MS,this close together,must be some kind of record. Thanks for everything!

[@JoeCorneli]

This is John Baldessari’s complete lack of surprise.

[@Luka1180]

What do you mean?

[@soloblog9571]

LOVED THIS! HE WAS ONE OF MY ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS. HE WAS THE REASON I WANTED TO GO TO CALARTS. UNFORTUNATELY, HE STOPPED TEACHING THERE THE SEMESTER I STARTED. THANKS JOHN :-)

[@iluveggtarts]

Awesome video and narration ❤️

[@mandypac2854]

Reminds of the editing style of " The Kid Stays in the Picture" narrated by Robert Evans. Doesn't matter how renowned one is in a field, if you can get someone to make a flashy quick bio of you, you are cool for not taking stuff too seriously (but the editing has to be perfect). Plus I am sure a lot of kids watching this may realize they may want to enter a design or creative field. Yay!

[@audreyh6628]

RIP beautiful man. Thank you for so much. Will continue to treasure this video

[@eubilla]

this End is so heart breaking

[@Billy_Dali]

i come back one more time for VO inspo

[@tokoloshgolem]

This is not a comment

[@taniadiego]

👌🏽

[@colecancillaartist]

The Style of this short documentary... displaying his supplies and personal items (Representing his humble nature and unique approach to art ) The heaviness of Tom Waits Voice adds a layer of wisdom and old school approach. John Baldessari multi-talented man and art icon (Fact: you enjoys and often visits Student art shows) It is refreshing to hear this.

[@JoanZhengs]

bye john

[@tyme2play1]

Great job John! Finally had a chance to see it. Val

[@CTBob]

It's rare to witness just under 6 minutes of amazingness, but this totally filled the bill. What a wonderfully brief yet spot-on portrait of an artist. It was a true pleasure to experience.

[@nickbarrera]

I am so glad I stumbled upon this video in a email. An new role model for me, spectacular.

[@claudiabethable]

love this. to see with the mind and not just the eye is what makes art fascinating.

[@trexgunkillyoudead]

the wifi password part always gets me

[@pablokorona]

Yes! I'm all about the "push-*pins*" part.

[@flavianomadink]

I adore this video. I respect and admire his contribution to art. Thank you Baldessari. RIP.

[@VanessaBlaylock]

So much "art" in 5 minutes and 55 seconds. The film does say what a tremendous influence he's been on a generation - or more - but what it doesn't mention is that this is not only because of the power of his work, but also because of his generosity toward young artists. A video gem about a gem of the art world.

[@feritkatipoglu6017]

Amazingly well done doc. on him. Short and fkn to the point as he would love!

[@peckermusic]

Superb!

[@blingbangs]

hahaha so awesome! never heard of john baldessari until now. what a neat way to learn about someone

[@bobanddavetimanderic]

Will never forget this!

[@peggyschrock4180]

the best video on conceptual art I have ever seen! fantastic!

[@TheOwlEyes]

Giotto is a GOOD BOY!

[@audioangel]

I had to go back a couple of times on that one. It's a little trickily worded when read, but if you speak it aloud, it may make more sense. I interpret it to mean you can't force inspiration.

[@audioangel]

"You have to be possessed, which you can't will." I guess I came here 9 years ago to reply to a comment about this quote (the original post is now gone). And it is EXACTLY the same spot that resonated strongly today. Thanks, John. (and Josh)

[@PETROVICGAMES]

WHY THIS IS SO GOOD???

[@askwhatuwantify]

I checked this video out after watching "catfish" . You guys are so "hipster" in the coolest sense of the word. I LOVED where you have Tom Waits saying "Jesus Christ" while looking over all of Baldessari's awards... hahaha... and Clint Eastwood's "tall enough". I can't stop smiling watching this. So random. So cool. Thank you Tom Waits' voice and thank you Henry and Rel... You are the kick in the pants I needed this morning. hahaha... Perfect.

[@adrianameijer1013]

heel leuk, te gek filmpje van en over iemand die zich godzijgedankt niet al te sereneus (!) neemt!

[@paulyoldmac]

what's john baldessari building in there?

[@babyirene3188]

Good job.

[@MuseofDiscord]

Came here for Tom Waits

[@ldnpanther82]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@haggidubious]

Utterly brilliant film. Thanks!

[@manaz72]

Voice of the only ONE: Mr. Tom Waits and the great art of Mr. Baldessari. Love it!!!!!!

[@imanitrobinson9485]

I was born in National City! Love it!!

[@voicetube]

That painting at 2:15 reminds me of one that I painted an almost sold… But still have for sale that states "I escaped the opiate of the Internet to paint this" along with colorful, abstract s*i* :-)

[@davidk.8608]

John Baldessari name was said 29 times - This wasn´t a boring film! Well done guys.

[@chelseamarshall28]

This was a truly fantastic way to show people who not know how truly awesome these people are!

[@elsni77]

interesting to watch this and to realize that the chair in 0:04 looks exactly like the one you are sitting in.

[@elenikyritsi478]

LOVED IT

[@DiranLyons]

Rest in Peace, John Baldessari. 1/5/2020

[@nangray56]

Thanks Tom

[@suit416]

RIP love this video

[@Handrawnpictures]

absolutely brilliant!

[@timsoekkha4383]

best art doc ever...

[@carolinadasilvamendoza9429]

I love you John.

[@MattGlynn]

so good not boring

[@ArnoSchlick]

so lovely ... waving.

[@ErichoTTA]

Never heard of this guy before, but I immediately love him.

[@patyperman2509]

Best docu ever, hilarious… loved it

[@HachikoCockroach]

That's kind of what talent means though? Talent is "a natural ability for being good at a particular activity". Being talented doesn't mean you'll be great at something without working for it, but you can't work so hard that you become talented. Some people never discover what they're talented at, others are talented but do nothing with it, and some work hard enough to excell at something without being talented at it, but talent comes naturally. You're either born with or without it.

[@xlm6081]

The best documentary on the youtube.

[@brianbriggs6479]

He was the guy whose photos were best used in "hacky" old Tab commercials in the early 70's

[@clami2960]

Fantastic!

[@Jake-butler]

Rip Baldessari. Thank you

[@taevaughnvaughn4957]

Enjoyed the video 💯

[@Duckshots]

Learning more about life as I age.

[@bananasandpeaches]

I want Tom Wait's to narrate my life, and then maybe break the 4th wall occasionally.

[@Phiiphayden]

mind bogglingly good - brill i ant - thanking you kindly

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

Mess up your mind, and voila, your an artist.