Jonas Mekas

By associatively linking film images, the filmmaker Jonas Mekas developed a unique essayistic, documentary style which continues to influence generations of artists and filmmakers today. This exhibition at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne focused on his work both as an artist, initiator and mediator of the cinematic arts (film curator and critic), who made it possible, for example, to show movies at ever-changing locations. Avant-garde and post-war films were central to his film programmes and reviews, including the so-called New American Cinema (John Cassavetes) and underground film (Andy Warhol). One of the main features of the exhibition was a film programme featuring a representative selection of his movies, as well as films which became popular due to Mekas' involvement. Co-curated by Jonas Mekas himself, his first solo exhibition in Germany focused on the forms of presentation he developed for his film material.

Project directors: Barbara Engelbach, Jonas Mekas (LT)

Schedule and venue:
8 Nov. 2008 - 1 Mar. 2009 Museum Ludwig, Cologne