Watch Joan Jonas: Reanimation

Joan Jonas: Reanimation is an insightful documentary that explores the life and work of one of the most influential contemporary artists, Joan Jonas. Directed by Jason Moran and performed by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, David Dempewolf, and Joan Jonas, this film is a tribute to Jonas's creative vision and innovation, emphasizing her influence in the world of performance and video art.

The documentary has an experimental format, combining interviews, archive footage, and excerpts from Joan Jonas's performances. The film opens with a collage of images and sounds that set the tone for Jonas's eclectic approach to art. We see her working on a puppet, filming a video, and performing in front of a live audience. This montage is accompanied by testimonies from art critics and scholars, who praise Jonas's originality and groundbreaking artistry.

The film then dives into Jonas's personal life, tracing her childhood in New York City, her studies at Columbia University, and her early experiments with theater and dance. We hear from Jonas herself, who reflects on her formative years, her influences, and her interest in mythology and folklore. We also see some of her earliest performances, such as the 1969 work Organic Honey's Visual Telepathy, which combined live action with prerecorded video.

One of the strengths of the documentary is how it contextualizes Jonas's work within the broader socio-political context of the 1970s and 80s. We learn how Jonas's performances responded to issues of gender, identity, and power, and how she pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the art world. The film highlights some of Jonas's most iconic works, such as Volcano Saga (1985), which tackled themes of destruction and rebirth, and I Want to Live in the Country (1976), which explored the relationship between language and movement.

The documentary also explores how Jonas's work evolved in the digital age, as she embraced new technologies and experimented with video and sound installations. We see excerpts from her later performances, such as Lines in the Sand (2002) and The Shape, the Scent, the Feel of Things (2004), which combined live and recorded video with music and movement. We also hear from Jonas's collaborators and students, who attest to her influence and her willingness to take risks and innovate.

One of the most captivating aspects of the film is how it captures Jonas's creative process, from the initial spark of inspiration to the final realization of a piece. We see her working in her studio, sketching ideas, experimenting with materials, and rehearsing with her performers. We also hear from Jonas about her approach to art-making, which emphasizes spontaneity, intuition, and the alchemy of collaboration.

Overall, Joan Jonas: Reanimation is a fascinating portrait of one of the most influential artists of our time. It offers a deep appreciation of Jonas's impact on the worlds of performance and video art, as well as her importance as a trailblazer for feminist and experimental art. The film is a thoughtful reflection on the power of art to provoke, inspire, and transform.

Joan Jonas: Reanimation is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes.