- Additional Authors
- Found In
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Description
- 1 streaming video file (44 min) : sound, color
- Summary
- An interview with artist Jasper Johns, conducted by Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation archivist David Vaughan and filmmaker Elliot Caplan. Johns, who served as the Merce Cunningham Dance Companys artistic advisor from 1966 through 1980, and continued afterwards to consult on design ideas. Johns is heard off screen for several minutes into the material, while the camera focuses in turn on the view outside a window and inside what appears to be Johns workspace or studio, as shots include several of his works. The artist himself is first seen on a monitor. Johns begins by pointing out that he seldom receives any instruction when he is sent the music and other elements for a new Cunningham piece, and is asked if he finds any difficulty working this way in light of the fact that some of the works carry a particularly high degree of challenge. He then speaks about how he incorporates music into his process as he paints (1:55). He is then asked why he feels that audiences sometimes have a problem connecting to John Cages music, often used in Cunningham works (2:20). Johns then discusses newer dancers whose work he has recently seen, as well as his views on dancers who have been influenced directly by Cunninghams work (6:10). He discusses the camaraderie and closeness found in earlier years, when Cage lived near to Johns residence, and Cunningham and other members of their artistic circle were frequently around, and the ways in which this has changed over time (12:50). Johns, Caplan and Vaughan then have a free-flowing discussion of the facets of Merce Cunninghams onstage presence which evoke aspects of theatrical acting rather than pure dance (18:20). Johns then discusses his experiences with Buckminster Fuller (21:00). He then discusses the level of public recognition which Cunningham enjoys (23:15). A discussion of his initial reactions when first encountering Cunninghams work follows, which morphs into a consideration of the emotional difficulties affecting the company as a whole and Merce Cunningham as an individual for much of the troupes history, due to limited opportunities for performance and resistant audiences. (27:18). During a setup break, we then see Caplan and Vaughan in hushed consultation regarding the shape that the remainder of the interview should take (31:25). They then discuss the affinities between some of Johns works and certain Cunningham pieces (38:15). The first part of this interview may be found under *MGZIDF 5053.
- Alternative Title
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection. Moving image materials.
- Subjects
- Genre/Form
- Dance.
- Music.
- Video.
- Interviews.
- Nonfiction films.
- Note
- Title provided by cataloger, based on original container label and research.
- Access (note)
- Patrons can access streaming video file online only on site at the Library for the Performing Arts.
- Credits (note)
- System Details (note)
- Source (note)
- Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation
- Linking Entry (note)
- Forms part of the Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Call Number
- *MGZIDF 5048
- OCLC
- 950971794
- Title
Interview with Jasper Johns, 2nd Tape, 1991
- Production
1991
- Country of Producing Entity
United States.
- Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
- Type of Medium
video
computer
- Type of Carrier
online resource
- Performer
Jasper Johns, interviewee; David Vaughan, interviewer; Elliot Caplan, interviewer.
- Credits
Elliot Caplan, camera.
- Event
Recorded 1991 Sharon, Massachusetts.
- System Details
Streaming video.
- Original Version
Original format: 1 videocassette (Video8) ; 8mm.
- Restricted Access
Patrons can access streaming video file online only on site at the Library for the Performing Arts.
- Linking Entry
Forms part of the Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Source
Gift; Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation, 2011-2012.
- Connect to:
- Added Author
Johns, Jasper, 1930- interviewee.
Vaughan, David, 1924- interviewer.
Caplan, Elliot, interviewer.
Caplan, Elliot, camera.
Caplan, Elliot, director.
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation donor.
- Added Title
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection. Moving image materials.
- Found In:
Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation Collection.
- Research Call Number
*MGZIDF 5048