A Brief History of John Baldessari

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The epic life of a world-class artist, jammed into six minutes.
Narrated by Tom Waits.
Commissioned by LACMA for their first annual "Art + Film Gala" honoring John Baldessari and Clint Eastwood.
directed by Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman (gosupermarche.com/)
edited by Max Joseph (www.maxjoseph.com/)
written by Gabriel Nussbaum (www.bankstreetf...)
cinematography by Magdalena Gorka (magdalenagorka....)
& Henry Joost
produced by Mandy Yaeger & Erin Wright
Thank you to John Baldessari and his studio. (www.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.

[@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! 🙂

[@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.

[@Biohazard-xyz]

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]

@@Biohazard-xyz 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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@micheledifrancesco1535]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@1959Edsel]

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

[@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.

[@Bronco541]

this was a fun way to learn about John Baldessari

[@ruthotero5788]

Agreed.

[@constancewalsh3646]

Tears. Thank you John.

[@hijadelpecado]

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

[@HrSamstag]

By far the loveliest Tom Waits song i ever heard.

[@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

[@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.

[@cistacubaltimoru]

Regularly coming back for inspiration. Thank you John!

[@jynxyouowemeasoda5066]

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

[@agustinagonzalez6179]

The way everything here makes prefect sense

[@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.

[@tokoloshgolem]

This is not a comment

[@taniadiego]

👌🏽

[@darrylmurray2261]

So much for no more boring art...

[@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

[@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.

[@patrickfergusonarchive]

Just one hell of a doc.

[@haar3600]

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

[@TheOwlEyes]

Giotto is a GOOD BOY!

[@StoriesAroundUs]

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

[@noniamo]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@beefycurry]

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

[@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!

[@eubilla]

this End is so heart breaking

[@carolinadasilvamendoza9429]

I love you John.

[@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)

[@canozano]

what does "you have to be possessed which you can't will" mean?

[@ChildOfAnAndroid]

you have to be obsessed with and really want to complete the art, which you cant force to happen by trying hard.

[@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.

[@Jake-butler]

Rip Baldessari. Thank you

[@JoeCorneli]

This is John Baldessari’s complete lack of surprise.

[@Luka1180]

What do you mean?

[@audreyh6628]

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

[@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.

[@trexgunkillyoudead]

the wifi password part always gets me

[@pablokorona]

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

[@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 :-)

[@wesleyjohndelaney106]

That was brilliant!

[@xlm6081]

The best documentary on the youtube.

[@CVXOfficial]

RIP :((

[@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!

[@COUCHSAILORS]

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

[@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.

[@DiranLyons]

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

[@bobanddavetimanderic]

Will never forget this!

[@JoanZhengs]

bye john

[@hamburgertime709]

Rest in peace... John

[@Billy_Dali]

i come back one more time for VO inspo

[@britteach]

Visual poetry. For a five minute and 53 second film, it takes three times as long to process everything that's packed into it. I had to watch it a few times, but it's worth it, Before seeing this movie, I had never heard of Baldessari. Now I'm a respectful admirer. His advice to young art students is honest

[@claudiabethable]

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

[@babyirene3188]

Good job.

[@imanitrobinson9485]

I was born in National City! Love it!!

[@peckermusic]

Superb!

[@nangray56]

Thanks Tom

[@splitpitch]

the beautiful thing about Baldessari's art is for those with flexible minds, he stretches their concept of what art is. For the other kind of people, those with an unshakable understanding of what art is to them, his art is like a butterfly to the blind.

[@tyme2play1]

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

[@suit416]

RIP love this video

[@ErichoTTA]

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

[@fernandadalia]

Magnífico

[@PETROVICGAMES]

WHY THIS IS SO GOOD???

[@adrianameijer1013]

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

[@MattGlynn]

so good not boring

[@chelseamarshall28]

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

[@andybev]

Totally agree!

[@peggyschrock4180]

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

[@alexmcsabotage]

Anyone know what he means by " You have to be possessed which you can't will." ??

[@haggidubious]

Utterly brilliant film. Thanks!

[@nickbarrera]

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

[@MuseofDiscord]

Came here for Tom Waits

[@iluveggtarts]

Awesome video and narration ❤️

[@LouisLovelessArtist]

Rest in peace John

[@davidk.8608]

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

[@feritkatipoglu6017]

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

[@flavianomadink]

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

[@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* :-)

[@elenikyritsi478]

LOVED IT

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

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

[@isabuckles]

Rest in Peace.

[@blingbangs]

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

[@Duckshots]

Learning more about life as I age.

[@ldnpanther82]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@Squeezeboxing23]

Don't forget Tom Waits has a lot of fans as well. I mean a lot.

[@elsni77]

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

[@SlyghTlyTyghTy]

ghosh i love that; how he puts worthiness on and upon the imperfection that is a creative vision and inspiration... i think it translates well to the observational consumer. the way(however) he dictates an image’s premise is variably void (to me) the surrealism shows through as Emotion by attest touch and scene, just from putting dots over pieces faces; imagination is super-imposingly implemented. I find it adds a level of realistic naivety to a frame that is strangely surreal & believable