Video art basic concepts: Joan Jonas’ case

Abstract

This article refers to the basic concepts in the work of American artist Joan Jonas, key figure in the emergence and development of video art in the 20th century. This analysis will contemplate the conceptual evolution of two of the artist’s pieces, in which the transition and fusion of various elements that can be noticed, related to the body’s representation through image, audiovisual media experimentation and limits expansion in art. First, the cultural and artistic context will be defined, within the second half of the 20th century. Afterwards, we will refer to the contributions of Jonas in the emergence of video art, and to the conceptual appreciations displayed in her work. At this point, some concerns regarding performance art, conceptual art and video language will be considered.