Artist John Baldessari: "Art is who I am." | Louisiana Channel

“I never liked to be called a Los Angeles artist.” Meet conceptual artist John Baldessari (b.1931-d.2020), who many describe as a cultural symbol and the grandmaster of the Los Angeles art scene. “My perception of the city is very ugly. But that’s attractive too. It’s very seductive.”
In this interview John Baldessari reflects upon his long artistic career, his beginning and cultural influences, and why in the 1960’s he gave up painting for mixing the narrative potential of photographic images with the associative power of language.
Just before his 85th birthday, Baldessari here defends the cultural and social importance of art. “It seems to be a nutritional need for the public. We build museums, people go there with their kids. The bad thing is the connection with money now. They look at a Rembrandt and ask how much it costs. We are looking at art with the wrong eyes and values.”
John Anthony Baldessari (b.1931-d.2020) is an American conceptual artist, who lived and worked in Santa Monica and Venice, California. In his career stretching over six decades, he has been exhibited in more than 200 solo shows. His works are part of major public and private collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. His work is said to have influenced a number of internationally renowned artists such as Cindy Sherman, Catherine Opie, Barbara Kruger and Tony Oursler.
John Baldessari was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner in his studio in Venice, Los Angeles in January 2016.
Camera: Jakob Solbakken
Edited by: Klaus Elmer
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2016
#JohnBaldessari #Art
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[@kiwicit0]

I can't believe I've been doing conceptual photography (recently) and not heard of this amazing artist. Thank you again Louisiana Channel for the most incredible content that is a source of ideas, inspiration, and grounding in my work.

[@classicartfoundation639]

He looks like my old art teacher, used to turn a blind eye to our smoking joints in school, good guy

[@aundreaonthemic1786]

I love this video! Seriously. I love everything about it's production. The voice over, the visuals, the live interview, sound effects. It's so artistic. I love it, sensational job!

[@FORTEPodcast]

A great interview! Thank you for your work!

[@kydop6128]

Such a great artist. Humble.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

Watching this, he made me realize, I have never thought about the cost of the art, when viewing it in a museum. Only when looking at art, in a commercial gallery, where cost is listed next to the painting.

[@Duckshots]

Learned to see art from him, rather than to talk art. By John, good life.

[@alsaulso1332]

RIP to a true Legend!!

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I find that thinking and talking, about art, is an important part of experiencing it, for me.

[@magnuskallas]

I've discovered it too. Some of the modern works, in all honestly, don't work so well with out that extra notch of discussion, but I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing. I would call it an "illustrated discussion".

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@magnuskallas definitely not a bad thing. Your reply, has me revisiting my comment. I would explain further, that one of the things I enjoy, about abstract art, is that my first reaction to it, is non verbal (no internal dialogue or spoken words). It gives me some kind of feeling I like, distinct from my usual world, of thoughts and words. Then, I get further pleasure from thinking, and talking/writing about it. Thanks for responding to my comment, reigniting my interest in this subject, and artist. Have a great day.

[@magnuskallas]

@@TheScreamingFrog916 Well, thank you! Having been barred from some woke channels, I finally started setting up my painting table again, All for action. If I'm lucky, I might sell some, again, but that's not the point. "Illustrated discussion", and no-one can ban for that, unless the society has gone that low with them ANTIFA neo-commies.

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

@@magnuskallas My grandpa fought the fascist in WW2. I’m, like him, am also anti fascist. Are you saying you are pro fascist? Wonder why you thought it was appropriate to mention that, in this forum about art? Any hoo, I’m canceling you, will not respond to any more of your comments….deal with it ;-)

[@larryforte5655]

Brilliant!

[@roamandgo7458]

the end of this is the best. what a sweet soul

[@richardthayer5907]

blah blah blah blah.......fart ferrari

[@johnchang4146]

My MFA mentor! A great artist!

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

❤️A true artist

[@fernandazarb]

he brings me peace in this video

[@darionirwin4138]

amazing interview ! man it's tragic i only found him now

[@PamJCosta]

But how awesome that we have KZbin and the internet!

[@anikad.6739]

I think about writing, the way he just described art.. It is nice, to hear, another being voice your thoughts.

[@richardthayer5907]

blah blah blah blah.......fart ferrari

[@jhb61249]

I went the other way. I first taught sciences, biology, chemistry, ecology. Then I taught art. Then I became an architect. Now I'm an artist. I don't do those other things anymore. I stopped going to shows and museums. It's all become ugly. Now I'm thinking I may stopping my painting. People of money and power and people who donate that to those of money and power are wrecking the world and all that's in it. I don't think, at the end of the day, anyone truly enjoys life today. Instead, they get "high" from this little experience or that little thought or happening, but all in all, life is not a sustained goodness.

[@valintong889]

Thank you for sharing your life journey and your sentiments being a teacher and then an artist.

[@jenns.5791]

I love his art!! such a brilliant man.

[@richardthayer5907]

blah blah blah blah.......fart ferrari

[@KasperPSR]

richard thayer what’s your problem?

[@SnaFOo75]

@@KasperPSR Richard needs a girlfriend or something

[@cotterluppi995]

I love this man.

[@tomajortom]

It must be exhausting for him to hear all the same questions throughout his career.

[@georgwachberg1242]

i found these ones here really ... expectable.

[@Euroca75005]

My former art teacher.

[@richardthayer5907]

blah blah blah blah.......fart ferrari

[@skyjuiceification]

how is a 3 year old comment on a new video?

[@Bonesph]

@@skyjuiceification It's not.

[@Euroca75005]

@Gary Nelson He was amazing.

[@jamespardee8534]

Nice work if you can get it! To some extent, art is who we all are!

[@franciskodankandath210]

❤❤❤

[@scottmcdonald7945]

I'm going to go make art now, because I could not imagine doing anything else. .

[@dimitrilikissas]

Nice person. Genuine, no bullshitter.

[@unsungm]

R.I.P. J.B.

[@letom.359]

Sweet,modest and down to earth. I'd like to be taught from him,for sure....

[@Tachot123]

Does anyone know the jazzy tune playing at times?

[@joec9086]

Soren Dahl - Nights Without Sleep

[@MartinQMurphy]

RIP

[@MegaFrankie75]

You're 86 and still working, what drives you? Is it me or that 's such a rude question? I'm only 44 years old but if someone ask me the same at 86 my answer would be: Because I'm still alive and able. Is it a mandatory condition to be young to do art or any other thing?

[@TheScreamingFrog916]

I get your point, but for some reason, I find it reassuring to hear from the artist mouth, as it is true, that some give it up, as they get older.

[@coranvolquez2074]

Excellent interview, very insightful answers, but they must have told him to take something off his nose, that kept me from concentrating on the rest of the interview.

[@djcolorblind2775]

mine is incredible

[@ModernConversations]

Ben? Ben Kenobi??!?

[@Ardavan47]

How is his health ? he has lost weight

[@garywilloughby6893]

Sounds like Hollywood book and Poster..

[@Angels-3xist]

Who is John Baldessari? Oh wait.

[@KM-mv1ho]

Oh geez I've never heard anyone voice that art obsessive thinking.

[@pierrekaufman5175]

it is what it takes

[@piemakerproductions]

I know right? I often say that too, art it's truly all I think about.

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

Commenting on what other people do is stupid.

[@veim22222]

Very ironic comment

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

@@veim22222 Real art is not a comment on other art.

[@bojanpejovic7691]

@@jan-martinulvag1953 1) no such a thing as "Real art" 2) the irony in your comments is hilarious 3) art is a real thing and a real phenomenon existing in the world, if a landscape painter can reference or comment on a mountain or sky, any artist can reference or comment on other art. Mystifying art as something immaterial and esoteric is plain dishonest.

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

@@bojanpejovic7691 There is no art, only artists.

[@bojanpejovic7691]

@@jan-martinulvag1953 you really think the nonsense you just said sounded profound don't you?

[@richardthayer5907]

blah blah blah blah.......fart ferrari