LuVaBee

Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959)

Directed by Alain Resnais Cinematography by Michio Takahashi and Sacha Vierny

“I wanted to develop my own language, and the minute I started performing, I began to invent in a different way—through my body movements.” —Joan Jonas

In a new episode from the ART21 Exclusive series, artist Joan Jonas—who represents the U.S. at this year’s La Biennale di Venezia​ in an exhibition presented by MIT List Visual Arts Center​—recalls the beginnings of her performance work from the late-1960s and early-1970s.

For Songdelay (1973), seen here, Jonas worked with artists such as Gordon Matta-Clark, Carol Gooden, Tina Girouard, Steve Paxton, and Penelope. “We all helped each other and worked together,” recounts the artist, “and people really enjoyed being in other people’s works.”

WATCH: Joan Jonas: New York Performances

Red Hair on Blue Dress (1969)