Johanna Went Went Retro

Frenetic artist Johanna Went gave an impressive performance packing a full house for her last night performance at her retrospective at Track 16 in Santa Monica. I spotted some familiar faces including a couple of celebrities: Ben Stiller and “what’s her name”, + a couple of stars that I should have known their names if I actually cared about pop culture. <Eh hem> The 3 week retrospective ended each week with a full cast performance, ode to the beginnings. Wow, what a show. I was there, 2nd row back, completely enthralled. (Thanks Clam!)

If you aren’t familiar with her work, Johanna Went became known for her provocative and aggressive performances fusing LA’s punk rock scene with performance art in the late 70′s and 80′s. Went’s performances attracted a loyal following that forever changed the face of SoCal’s punk scene. Her shows were known for her blend of visually stunning aggression, sculptural costumes, (elements likely found at the local thrift store) unrehearsed noisescapes, synthesized vocals, slapping of raw meat and lots and lots of stage blood. Johanna’s career expanded to films and collaborations with other musicians over the years. The retrospective was an amazing testament to her body of work.

Steve Hochman, Special LA Times writer had this to say about his experience the week before:

“The show started like a Teletubbies nightmare. Then it got weird. The players paraded in, gyrated and uttered non-sequiturs, backed by a vibrant surf-psychedelic-tribal recorded score by longtime collaborator Mark Wheaton with contributions by percussionist Z’ev. It was a frenetic, myth-o-matic jumble of kabuki, English pantomime, mystery plays, Noh, the Ramayama, Día de los Muertos pageantry, Buñuel films, Dante, you name it — a Joseph Campbell Frappuccino.”

The entire review can be found here.

Personally, I enjoy all kinds of art, expression, creativity, movement, dance and performance art, which happens to be one of my favorites. Even though I never saw Johanna Went in her hay-day, I have been a fan of her work, as one of the major influences that helped shape the face of performance art Los Angeles. I rank her among the same playing field as Bob Flannigan and Lydia Lunch. It was a treat and honor for me to see Ms. Went, likely in her late-forties, doing what she does, being messy, provocative, uninhibited and totally committed to her art form. The essence of her authenticity and commitment are so inspirational to me, as a woman, as an artist, as a professional creative. (Especially as I put another candle on my birthday cake each year.) I look and look for the same level of authenticity in the professional world I now reside but frankly it isn’t as apparent. Hmmmmm…

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