Yes, I got my first Bolex camera a few weeks after being dropped in New York by the United Nations Refugee Organization. That was on October 29th, 1949. With my brother Adolfas, we wanted to make a film about displaced persons, how one feels being uprooted from one's home. Jonas Mekas 29thadolfasbolex share on social
I have never been able, really, to figure out where my life begins and where it ends. I have never, never been able to figure it all out, what it's all about, what it all means. Jonas Mekas beginendfigure Change image and share on social
Some cameras are heavier and need to be on tripods. Others are small enough to hide in your pocket. There are places where you don't want to feel like you are disturbing anything, so I may use a camera like that. Jonas Mekas cameradisturbfeel share on social
I'm a filmmaker, but my working procedures are different. All my basic structuring is done during the filming. You know, how long I keep the shot, the exposure or the speed - slower or faster, etc. That's structuring. And then there is a second stage of structuring that comes later when I begin to put those pieces together. Jonas Mekas basicbeginexposure share on social
When I came to New York in 1949, there was already an entire fresh avant-garde film movement blooming in New York and California. It was a very, very exciting period! Jonas Mekas avantbloomcalifornia Change image and share on social
The nature of the video camera really makes you focus on the present. Since I have always been a diarist filmmaker, not one who stages scenes with actors, it has always been about the present moment. Jonas Mekas actorcameradiarist Change image and share on social
In 1962, we created the Filmmakers' Co-Op because nobody wanted to distribute our films. If we had the Internet in those days, we wouldn't have needed the Co-Op. Jonas Mekas createdaydistribute Change image and share on social
I'm not an abstract artist; I leave that to others. To me, abstract art ended with Kazimir Malevich's 'Black Square.' To continue it is senseless. Jonas Mekas abstractartartist Change image and share on social
There is no other way to break the frozen cinematic conventions than through a complete derangement of the official cinematic senses. Jonas Mekas breakcinematiccomplete Change image and share on social
My life is essentially not so unique. On some deeper levels we feel the same, we know the same things. Therefore if I show my life 365 days, moments from those days, it will reflect and it will have connection with lives of all of us. Jonas Mekas connectiondaydeep share on social