|
Does the BBC's Culture Show make you wince more than sharp fingernails on blackboards? In this first instalment of Don't Panic's Really Really Cultural Show, Gedvile Bunikyte meets prolific film maker and hero of the avante-garde Jonas Mekas.
Jonas Mekas is regarded by many as one of the greatest living artists, poets, film activists, and heros of the avant-garde. He has mentored, encouraged and helped the likes of Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmusch, Kenneth Anger, Maria Menkin, Maya Deren and numerous other filmmakers and artists. Mekas’ role as curator helped develop and shape a wider public understanding of American avant-garde and independent filmmaking, while his work and collaborations with artists friends such as George Maciunas (founder of the Fluxus group), Andy Warhol (considered by many as father of Pop art), Nam June Paik (a principal pioneer of moving image installation) and Yoko Ono (another principle member of the Fluxus group) positions Mekas as the undisputed ambassador of the ‘new underground’.
|
| Jonas, Gedvile and friends |
Jonas himself is not big on such titles and labels as ‘underground’ and ‘experimental’ and refrains from any analysis of himself and his work, saying simply: “I am a filmer. I have an obsession. I need to film.” He does things because he feels he has to. “What I do is only when there is no choice and nobody else is doing it, so I am doing it,” Jonas says. This from a man who writes for two film magazines (Village Voice and Film Culture), runs an artist-run, non-profit organisation, Filmmakers Cooperative, which allows filmmakers to distribute avant-garde films through a centralised archive, not to mention his own cinema in New York’s East Village called Anthology Film Archives, which is dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of experimental film. And that’s to not even touch on the the plethora of films he has made.
|
| New Anthology Archive Building |
I spent three days with Jonas, walking around, attending his film screenings and Q&A’s and also spent some personal time with him and his son. Sometimes we chatted, other times just sat there in a café eating or having a glass of wine. In this marathon of an interview Jonas and I discussed many subjects, but especially for Don’t Panic readers we talked about the science of filmmaking.
GB: Is filming a conscious attempt to document what is happening around you?
JM: No, not conscious. It’s just an obsession to film. Wherever I go I just keep filming. There is no great consciousness just an obsession. No plans… I am not sure if I am interested in documenting. I do it for myself and to share with friends. I don’t think about it as documentation… I don’t think at all. I am not a thinking person. I just have a need to film. That’s all. Later it becomes a document of a period or of some aspect because it is on film. In other words it is not serious what I am doing.
GB: How important is silence and sound in your film?
JM: Now I use video to record so I record image and sound together. In the earlier days, with my Bolex, I recorded only the image. But in my pocket I always had a little Sony recorder and I recorded sound. I recorded sound in many other ways, so now I have thousands and thousands of cassettes. So when I begin to put images together I pull out some of the sounds of the same period - by chance with no particular consideration. Totally mindless process.
GB: Now you only film on video?
|
GB: Has the invention of video made things easier? Everyone can make a film today.
JM: As time goes by most of it will be gone. Only those pieces that people want to share will survive. It’s Darwin’s principle in art. Only those who have some integrity will survive. I don’t mind how much it is out there. What will remain is important. People see something and recommend other people to see it. It’s natural selection.
On 1 January 2007 Mekas began his 365 project, releasing one film for every day of the year, available online for download on www.jonasmekas.com
Jonas continues to work on film, video and music projects. He is the lead singer in two music groups. One is named Himalayas, which is a 37-piece music group and the other is a six piece free jazz fusion group called Here and Now . He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Gedvile Bunikyte is a visual and performance artist currently living and working in London.
With special thanks to Curzon Cinema and Benn Northover.
Comments about this article
Excellent work, Nice Design cheap air flights discounted air line travel 65956 cheap air flights discounted air line travel jwtff
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 23:17:22
Excellent work, Nice Design cheap air flights discounted air line travel 65956 cheap air flights discounted air line travel jwtff
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 23:17:09
Very interesting tale cheap airlines tickets xbuub cheap airlines tickets 9219
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 23:16:57
Very interesting tale cheap airlines tickets xbuub cheap airlines tickets 9219
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 23:16:46
Airline Tickets To London 624364 cheap air flights discounted air line travel >:-OO
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 23:16:36
Airline Tickets To London 624364 cheap air flights discounted air line travel >:-OO
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 23:16:24
It\\\'s funny goodluck cheap air flights discounted air line travel >:-PPP cheap air flights discounted air line travel hcci
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 19:24:50
It\'s funny goodluck cheap air flights discounted air line travel >:-PPP cheap air flights discounted air line travel hcci
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 19:24:24
It\\\'s serious Airline Tickets To Germany %-[[ cheap air flights discounted air line travel vrvc
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 19:24:00
It\'s serious Airline Tickets To Germany %-[[ cheap air flights discounted air line travel vrvc
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 19:23:36
This site is crazy :) cheap air flights discounted air line travel >:-OO Airline Tickets Sado =[
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 19:23:10
This site is crazy :) cheap air flights discounted air line travel >:-OO Airline Tickets Sado =[
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 19:22:46
I\\\'m happy very good site Airline Tickets For Military =-[[ Airline Tickets For Sale xdudsl
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 11:22:54
I\\\'m happy very good site Airline Tickets For Military =-[[ Airline Tickets For Sale xdudsl
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 11:22:12
I\\\'m happy very good site Airline Tickets For Military =-[[ Airline Tickets For Sale xdudsl
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 11:21:33
I\'m happy very good site Airline Tickets For Military =-[[ Airline Tickets For Sale xdudsl
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 11:20:57
real beauty page Airline Tickets For Cheap xlow Airline Tickets For Funerals 860932
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 11:20:36
real beauty page Airline Tickets For Cheap xlow Airline Tickets For Funerals 860932
Posted by anonymous @ 09/09/08 11:20:21
Excellent work, Nice Design cheap air flights discounted air line travel 8522 cheap airlines tickets =-((
Posted by anonymous @ 08/09/08 20:33:58
Excellent work, Nice Design cheap air flights discounted air line travel 8522 cheap airlines tickets =-((
Posted by anonymous @ 08/09/08 20:33:35
Very funny pictures Airline Etickets rimicr cheap airlines tickets qsrdwh
Posted by anonymous @ 08/09/08 20:33:11
Very funny pictures Airline Etickets rimicr cheap airlines tickets qsrdwh
Posted by anonymous @ 08/09/08 20:32:50
Best Site good looking cheap air flights discounted air line travel 3003 Airline Ticket Comparison Sites 800
Posted by anonymous @ 08/09/08 20:32:35
Best Site good looking cheap air flights discounted air line travel 3003 Airline Ticket Comparison Sites 800
Posted by anonymous @ 08/09/08 20:32:20
This site is crazy :) airline discount ticket military bqm
Posted by anonymous @ 07/09/08 02:06:34
This site is crazy :) airline discount ticket military bqm
Posted by anonymous @ 07/09/08 02:06:12
This site is crazy :) airline discount ticket military bqm
Posted by anonymous @ 07/09/08 02:06:08
Excellent work, Nice Design Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets 238
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 23:36:31
Excellent work, Nice Design Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets 238
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 23:36:21
Best Site good looking Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets 20618
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 21:07:36
Best Site good looking Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets 20618
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 21:07:26
Gloomy tales Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets %((
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 15:54:03
Gloomy tales Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets %((
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 15:53:43
perfect design thanks airline discount ticket military ktrc
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 07:37:11
perfect design thanks airline discount ticket military ktrc
Posted by anonymous @ 06/09/08 07:36:53
magic story very thanks Lube Your Tube Free 464 Lube Your Tube Free Chains >:-OOO Eskimo Tube Escapades =DDD Eskimo Tube Streaming Videos efbi Lube Your Tube Free Friction 16677 Zoo Tube 360 106817 Eskimo Tube Escapades 119 Lube Your Tube Free Chains =-( Zoo Tube 360 716 Ecko Red Tube Tops 720501
Posted by anonymous @ 04/09/08 03:06:27
magic story very thanks Lube Your Tube Free 464 Lube Your Tube Free Chains >:-OOO Eskimo Tube Escapades =DDD Eskimo Tube Streaming Videos efbi Lube Your Tube Free Friction 16677 Zoo Tube 360 106817 Eskimo Tube Escapades 119 Lube Your Tube Free Chains =-( Zoo Tube 360 716 Ecko Red Tube Tops 720501
Posted by anonymous @ 04/09/08 03:06:17
Best Site good looking Zoo Tube Animals 230 The Lube Tube %-PPP Eskimo Tube Flies 8-OOO Zoo Tube 360 066218 Lube Your Tube Video Share >:]]] Lube Your Tube Video 845517 Zoo Tube Animals =) Eskimo Tube Flies =-[ Eskimo Tube Escapades >:((( Zoo Tube 365 Animals =[[
Posted by anonymous @ 04/09/08 00:41:48
Best Site good looking Zoo Tube Animals 230 The Lube Tube %-PPP Eskimo Tube Flies 8-OOO Zoo Tube 360 066218 Lube Your Tube Video Share >:]]] Lube Your Tube Video 845517 Zoo Tube Animals =) Eskimo Tube Flies =-[ Eskimo Tube Escapades >:((( Zoo Tube 365 Animals =[[
Posted by anonymous @ 04/09/08 00:41:41
It\\\'s serious Cheap Replacement Hot Tub Covers 7220 Red Tube Tops 1956 Pop Toob >:[ Zoo Toob >:[[ Used Hot Tub Covers mjcego Buy A Jacuzzi Hot Tub Covers yjv Boob Toob 8P Comtube :-] Discount Hot Tub Covers Free Shipping 252386 Red Tube Tops Hot Fash
5897
Posted by anonymous @ 03/09/08 19:56:46
It\'s serious Cheap Replacement Hot Tub Covers 7220 Red Tube Tops 1956 Pop Toob >:[ Zoo Toob >:[[ Used Hot Tub Covers mjcego Buy A Jacuzzi Hot Tub Covers yjv Boob Toob 8P Comtube :-] Discount Hot Tub Covers Free Shipping 252386 Red Tube Tops Hot Fash
5897
Posted by anonymous @ 03/09/08 19:56:33
Very interesting tale Free Redtube =DDD Freextube 084015 Freextube >:-) Redtube 779 Hentaitube >:-PPP
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 23:55:05
Very interesting tale Free Redtube =DDD Freextube 084015 Freextube >:-) Redtube 779 Hentaitube >:-PPP
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 23:54:40
Gloomy tales Freextube %( You Tube 8tv 359664 Free Zootube 693 Free Tube8 24574 Free Zootube yhgtoc
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 21:10:40
Gloomy tales Freextube %( You Tube 8tv 359664 Free Zootube 693 Free Tube8 24574 Free Zootube yhgtoc
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 21:10:32
this post is fantastic Redtube ypb Tubetv gisd You Tube 8tv =-OOO Hot Tubs 458 Free Zootube 90138
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 15:26:53
this post is fantastic Redtube ypb Tubetv gisd You Tube 8tv =-OOO Hot Tubs 458 Free Zootube 90138
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 15:26:30
I love this site Hardcoretube 112180 Redtube xwds Free Zootube :( Free Zootube :-[[[ Freextube barln
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 12:18:34
I love this site Hardcoretube 112180 Redtube xwds Free Zootube :( Free Zootube :-[[[ Freextube barln
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 12:18:26
very best job Free Xtube zkgkaw Tube8 xppte Freextube sfnirm Freehentaitube cnjlqw Red Tub 0670
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 09:08:33
very best job Free Xtube zkgkaw Tube8 xppte Freextube sfnirm Freehentaitube cnjlqw Red Tub 0670
Posted by anonymous @ 30/08/08 09:08:23
this post is fantastic xnxx stories :[
Posted by anonymous @ 29/08/08 22:13:02
this post is fantastic xnxx stories :[
Posted by anonymous @ 29/08/08 22:12:21
Excellent work, Nice Design Discount Hot Tub Covers 777606 Download Xxxtv zeww Xnxx :-) Free Lolita Bbs 65132 Xxxtv Online >:-)))
Posted by anonymous @ 28/08/08 22:29:44
Excellent work, Nice Design Discount Hot Tub Covers 777606 Download Xxxtv zeww Xnxx :-) Free Lolita Bbs 65132 Xxxtv Online >:-)))
Posted by anonymous @ 28/08/08 22:29:32
Gloomy tales Free Hardcoretube =-D Eskimo Tube mzmof Free Xxxtube dlt Incesttube >:-]] Maturetube %]]
Posted by anonymous @ 28/08/08 18:56:18
Gloomy tales Free Hardcoretube =-D Eskimo Tube mzmof Free Xxxtube dlt Incesttube >:-]] Maturetube %]]
Posted by anonymous @ 28/08/08 18:56:12
YAbBP4 sdlfRnd6M2HvO4
Posted by anonymous @ 26/08/08 14:43:15
YAbBP4 sdlfRnd6M2HvO4
Posted by anonymous @ 26/08/08 14:43:08
thank you DontPanic!
Posted by anonymous @ 13/08/08 12:26:51
this is a brilliant and eloquently written article about a man i feel i should have already known about.
Posted by anonymous @ 12/08/08 19:01:34
this is a brilliant and eloquently written article about a man i feel i should have already known about.
Posted by anonymous @ 12/08/08 18:59:51