Joan Jonas: Drawings | Art21 "Extended Play"

Episode #212: Shown drawing in her Manhattan studio and performing on stage at the Umeå Jazz Festival in Sweden, Joan Jonas describes her approach to drawing and its role within her overall practice. "Drawing is like practicing the piano, because the first ones that I do often don't come out so I have to practice," says Jonas who handicaps herself by attaching her ink brushes and oil sticks to long rods or branches. "It's almost accidental if they turn out." While showing archived drawings of her dogs and an owl, Jonas discusses her interest in capturing an animal’s character through portraiture.
Working in performance, video, installation, sculpture, and drawing, Jonas finds inspiration in mythic stories, investing texts from the past with the politics of the present. Wearing masks and drawing while performing on stage, Jonas disrupts the conventions of theatrical storytelling to emphasize potent symbols and critical self-awareness.
Learn more about the artist at:
art21.org/artist/joan-jonas/
CREDITS: Producer: Ian Forster. Consulting Producer: Wesley Miller & Nick Ravich. Interview: Ian Forster & Susan Sollins. Camera: Jarred Alterman, Linus Andersson, and Amanda Björk. Sound: Richard Gin & Johannes Oscarsson. Editor: Morgan Riles. Artwork Courtesy: Robert Ashley, Electronic Arts Intermix, New York, Joan Jonas, and Performing Artservices, Inc. Special Thanks: Mimi Johnson. Theme Music: Peter Foley.
"Extended Play" is supported, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; 21c Museum Hotel, and by individual contributors.
#JoanJonas #Art21 #Art21ExtendedPlay

[@taylorromer9971]

I think the best part of this video is her dog squeaking his toy

[@Blissblizzard]

Yes it was achingly sincere, how unlike, the lecture, on how to pretend you can draw, successfully, (which is the whole of the art.) Oh! to be paid to be a professional kindergartener, l'm so jell ...so so jell.

[@kathimcconkey2642]

! I want to be Joan Jonas when I grow up. I am just 72 and love love love to make art. I want to set myself free to create art, watercolor, ink, use all the good stuff I built up in my studio and just play and love what I do. I love you Joan! You are beautiful and inspirint

[@shivamkambles4886]

Selut your work mam and all di best

[@Blissblizzard]

Well? did you make a mess at your kitchen table? Or did the Art Police intervene?

[@anajavieranae]

she is so honest about her work, and so inspiring

[@Blissblizzard]

How can you be dishonest about scribbling like a toddler, never learning to visually perceive, to draw, to master materials and subject alike, and to be at a level that aesthetics and meanings speak for themselves, rather than never have anything to say that isn't embarrassingly subjective, and self serious, Contemporary Art, which condescends depersonalises and patronises Outsider Art, and then steals it's outer trappings 😂 That's inspired appropriation right there. Art as a snobby secular faux religion, for all its risible solemnity, is a dreary, dessicated, soulless, product, where the artist is but A Brand. International Money Laundering thanks you for your support.😉

[@axleochidae2853]

Amen. Truly accurate review.

[@axleochidae2853]

Absolute trash- the very idea that this artist thinks people would admire this heap of scribbling is insulting to humanity.

[@emmacasale7814]

​@@BlissblizzardHola, sin ofender ni nada, pero solo quería decirte que el arte se puede interpretar de distintas maneras en base a las experiencias y pensamientos de las personas, etc. En mí caso le encuentro cierta nostalgia a las pinturas de esta mujer y las siento abrumadoras hasta cierto punto. Cómo persona que pinta y dibuja de distintas maneras, te puedo decir, que lo que ella hace no es fácil para algunos, lograr que un montón de líneas casi sin sentido logren tener forma... Ya que como dijiste, "garabatea como niño", y aún así logra que el público pueda entender qué es lo que pinto, yo lo veo increíble, por lo tanto, depende la persona, así que con tu comentario ya se algo de vos. Feliz navidad❤🌲

[@Blissblizzard]

@@emmacasale7814 Feliz Navidad Emma.

[@miroporvos]

Love the method for self portrait at the end.

[@movementsNYC]

Very Interesting Artist & Work. Finally someone Inspiring

[@andreasmartini9327]

great. she is a virtuoso in being authentic. acting and drawing those raw drawings are just the vehicles for sth more inspiring. and that is as John Cage famously stated: (mimicking) to create like nature does... effortless, all connected, whatever... pure relief.

[@raybjr]

so amazing to have that kind of creative freedom

[@sur_burbio2839]

Her artistic spontaneity is fascinating

[@MichaelAlanAlien]

This is so inspirational!

[@shelbyjames1894]

My dogs really enjoyed this intro.

[@7kurisu]

love those dog drawings. the internet knows you dont need a justification to make pictures of dogs

[@diegoinjapan]

I like how the paint splattered all over the book when she painted the insect.

[@begratefulx8386]

anyone know about that video at 4:12 i need to find it.

[@KamoHaze]

I love it. THANK U JOAN AND ART 21! B GR8 AND CONTINUE 2 CR8! STAY+ SPREAD #KAMOISM

[@Blissblizzard]

THE CULT OF SELF!!!!!!!

[@Tobazhniazhi]

All that good paper...

[@cliffdariff74]

😂😂😂😂

[@sibastoune]

Reminds me of the art class scene in Ghost World. "Father, Mirror, Father..."

[@frankj.2426]

Beautiful drawings.

[@Blissblizzard]

I have some kindergarten art l could hook you up with, you in? Identical, but off brand.

[@frankj.2426]

@@Blissblizzard is it on good paper?

[@Blissblizzard]

@@frankj.2426 Nope, sugar paper, but as ephemera, they can of course be professionally mounted and framed and curated, and we can fully document the ownership history of these works and we can set up an artist interview to talk about their process, at cookie and juice time, tho to be honest it is quasi shamanistic.

[@frankj.2426]

@@Blissblizzard Back to the Art Renewal Center, with you, vile troll!

[@ntfrmhr]

love the tools she uses

[@Blissblizzard]

Is this comment satire? Hey my dog fetches sticks For a price he could source you some. You in?

[@espaguetydeloeste]

#viejaridicula

[@MrMyYoyo]

Holy cow....she just drew Katz from Courage the Cowardly Dog!!

[@supersayainjesus7204]

!god

[@yardenanickingabikbienesra5024]

I would like to know what technique did he use, I think thats very important

[@robertstotesbury8005]

She used the "no-skill" method! Now you know.

[@Blissblizzard]

@@robertstotesbury8005 Of course the Highest Art is withering Sarcasm! ThankYou for your service

[@wawazuzzy2064]

great

[@johncastle8254]

One squick for that’s rubbish ,two squeaks I’m gonna crap on the floor .

[@janglejingerschmidt4031]

anyone else here from the discussion board?

[@TheEmpress1768]

Jackson Brooks yes

[@allayiyi7997]

4:43

[@TheGranti7a]

😆❤️😆🤗😆🌈😆🌞😆🌟

[@CzlowiekBiznesu]

ayyy lmao

[@anthonylopez9594]

I watch a lot of artist videos and it seems to me that technical ability isnt a necessity to be an artist, however, being able to talk about art while using absolutist and generalized statements to explain and justify your artwork is a necessity. You even hear painters like Mark Bradford talking like this. Definitely an art school thing they were taught. Her artwork is okay. I dont find it particularly interesting. I feel as if she draws in a similar manner as george condo, however, i think george condo's work is incredibly interesting. Im not sure exactly if i just dont like her work or if i havent looked at enough of it yet. Hopefully its the latter hahaha.

[@Blissblizzard]

You can get a BA in Art or a BS If you're qualified in BS and a natural born narcissist they will kiss your feet. Don't try this on an architecture course tho, your building will actually betray you by falling down.

[@Futuristbillpicone]

I can draw pretty good also. Any buyers?

[@Blissblizzard]

If you can draw well that means you have superior visual perception. If you notice things that makes you "dangerous", so no, 😂

[@Artba_Kreasi]

keep it up, I like your activities, because I like and I enjoy watching you guys, and I like all your channels,... greetings from Indonesia, and because I have many shortcomings, so I ask for your support and guidance for the development of my channel my friend... I pray for you my friend... I hope you stay healthy, so you can continue to do activities... keep it up always to give birth to new things, I like your activities, friend. always cheer up

[@TylerRobertNielsen]

"art"

[@andrewjeromeantonio4986]

"i do this kind of work a lot-- in this case experimenting with how these drawings are just going to come out if i do them very fast, with this particular tool and ink." well we all know 'how its gonna turn out' if its done 'very fast' especially using that 'particular tool'. no need for doing that 'a lot' and calling it 'experimenting'. particular tool, meh. that's a stick. so pretentious.

[@wendyz7442]

lemma It’s like a good book. Like shakesphere or something. Some people can connect to it and get it. Others can’t. I can see how she is a famous artist. Her drawings are really amazing. If a originally person try they would not achieve the same effect. The composition is balance, the line quality is diverse, it’s through years of practice that she achieved this. I can assure you she can draw realistically very well. She can control the tools very well, and sometimes that added lost of control of tools allows experienced artist more space for unexpected creativity and abstraction

[@Blissblizzard]

Anthony Atonio, it's the Art Game, plz stahp using yr brain!!!

[@asdrubalvillarroelromero5123]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 eso es arte mi sobrina de 3 años lo hace mejor

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

She can’t draw

[@tauntonlake]

I don't understand why this woman is getting this kind of recognition. I mean, she is not extraordinary. By any means. Why has this country been reduced to celebrating mediocrity? Or is this is a everyone-gets-a-trophy, sheep mentality, where "artsy-minded people are just pretending to be impressed, because they're afraid of not looking hip to their peers ? she might be a nice person; but she's not otherwise noteworthy. I wouldn't pay to see that "performance". If you can call it that. I just don't get it.

[@wendyz7442]

It’s like a good book. Like shakesphere or something. Some people can connect to it and get it. Others can’t. I can see how she is a famous artist. Her drawings are really amazing. If a originally person try they would not achieve the same effect. The composition is balanced and interesting. the line quality is diverse, it’s through years of practice that she achieved this. I can assure you she can draw realistically very well.

[@robertstotesbury8005]

I get it all to well.....it's crap!

[@Blissblizzard]

Were being DEMORALISED, this psyop started in 1945 when Black Ops disinfo swapped from enemy to domestic targets, when the Cold War started, all researchable. Choose your weapon, (and more importantly chose your armor, scorn) My weapon is sarcasm, it serves me well. They can bite my ankles all they like now. 😂

[@Blissblizzard]

@@wendyz7442 Are a you an Extremist Fundamentalist art luvver? Have you been radicalised online by the Museum of Con temporary Art 😂

[@piyushdas079]

Sometimes ..Just Sometimes ....Lets just say that aloud.. 'The emperor has no clothes' . There is no visceral, primordial, exploration of images ..its just bad drawing, made worse by more bad drawing.

[@BICICLETASFORTUNA]

bad drawing is a viseral primordial exploration

[@marokriste1620]

that just your opinion,she is great artist

[@wendyz7442]

It’s like a good book. Like shakesphere or something. Some people can connect to it and get it. Others can’t. I can see how she is a famous artist. Her drawings are really amazing. If a originally person try they would not achieve the same effect. The composition is balance, the line quality is diverse, it’s through years of practice that she achieved this. I can assure you she can draw realistically very well.

[@Blissblizzard]

@@wendyz7442 Nom Nom copypasta with sauce, Your thoughts are not your own, don't let that concern you.

[@Blissblizzard]

@@marokriste1620 There is Contemporary art and there is Con Art. No wait, one is just the short form of the other. 😂You are being played, and you are complicit in playing yourself! Embarrassing. ConArt is a licence to print money. Educate yourself.

[@chelseafisher6881]

She’s aiming for interesting, her concept of interesting, interesting not pretty, or good.

[@jayfeatherwarriorcats3482]

Lol a 2 ye old could draw better

[@robertstotesbury8005]

At least a 2 year old would have an excuse!

[@dianaahakim2001]

But did they?

[@hoomalumalu]

i'm so not into this crap

[@robertstotesbury8005]

This is the crap that gives art a bad name.

[@Blissblizzard]

So pathetic it gives crap a bad name, crap grows plants. this just grows old, fast .

[@durgeshkumar-gv6dp]

worst drawing with good connections with rich friends