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Bill Viola

Known for directing · Born 25 January 1951 · 75 · Queens, New York, USA

96 credits

A pioneer in the medium of video art, Bill Viola's work explores the spiritual and perceptual side of human experience. Since 1970 he has created videotapes, architectural video installations, sound environments, electronic music performances and pieces for television. Works include Hatsu Yume (First Dream), The Passing, and installations Room for St. John of the Cross, The Messenger and The Quintet of the Astonished, recently shown at the National Gallery, London in "Encounters, New Art from Old". A 25-year survey exhibition of his work organized by The Whitney Museum of American Art recently traveled to 6 institutions in the USA and Europe. MacArthur Fellow.

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Known for

Return

Return

1975

The Reflecting Pool

1979

The Passing

1992

Ancient of Days

1982

Anthem

1983

I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like

1986

Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat)

1979

Hatsu Yume (First Dream)

1981

Migration (for Jack Nelson)

1976

Reasons for Knocking at an Empty House

1983

Sweet Light

Sweet Light

1977

Bill Viola: The Road to St. Paul's

2017

Acting (13)

2017Bill Viola: The Road to St. Paul'sSelfFilm
2013What Is Cinema?SelfFilm
2003Bill Viola: The Eye of the HeartSelfFilm
2002The VoyageGatekeeperFilm
2002Going Forth By Day(segment "The Voyage")Film
1995TrovoadaSelf (voice)Film
1986I Do Not Know What It Is I Am LikeHimselfFilm
1983Reasons for Knocking at an Empty HouseFilm
1979The Reflecting PoolPerformerFilm
1976Migration (for Jack Nelson)Film
1975ReturnFilm
—Processing the SignalHimselfFilm
—The DelugeFilm

Camera (3)

1989Angel's GateDirector of Photography, Idea, EditorFilm
1977Guadalcanal RequiemDirector of PhotographyFilm
1976Migration (for Jack Nelson)Director of Photography, Editor, IdeaFilm

Directing (77)

2018Wagner: Tristan und IsoldeDirectorFilm
2016MaryDirector, WriterFilm
2014Inverted BirthDirectorFilm
2014MartyrsDirectorFilm
2014Martyrs: FireDirectorFilm
2014Martyrs: EarthDirectorFilm
2014Martyrs: WaterDirectorFilm
2014Martyrs: AirDirectorFilm
2013Man Searching for Immortality/Woman Searching for EternityDirectorFilm
2013The DreamersDirectorFilm
2012The EncounterDirectorFilm
2012Walking on the EdgeDirectorFilm
2012Traveling on FootDirectorFilm
2011A Phrase from ChrisDirectorFilm
2008Three WomenDirectorFilm
2008The InnocentsDirectorFilm
2007Ocean Without a ShoreDirectorFilm
2006Poem B (The Guest House)DirectorFilm
2005Fire WomanDirectorFilm
2005AblutionsDirectorFilm
2005Basin of TearsDirectorFilm
2004The Tristan ProjectDirectorFilm
2003EmergenceDirectorFilm
2002The PathDirectorFilm
2002The VoyageDirectorFilm
2002Going Forth By DayDirector, Writer, Cinematography, EditorFilm
2002Fire BirthDirectorFilm
2002The Silent SeaDirectorFilm
2001SurrenderDirectorFilm
2001Catherine's RoomDirectorFilm
2001Four HandsDirectorFilm
2000Eternal ReturnDirectorFilm
2000AscensionDirectorFilm
2000The Quintet of the AstonishedDirectorFilm
2000AnimaDirectorFilm
1996The CrossingDirectorFilm
1995The VeilingDirectorFilm
1995The GreetingDirectorFilm
1995IntervalDirectorFilm
1994DésertsDirector, Editor, Writer, Director of PhotographyFilm
1992The PassingDirectorFilm
1992Slowly Turning NarrativeDirectorFilm
1992The Nantes TriptychDirectorFilm
1992Heaven and EarthDirectorFilm
1992The SleepersDirectorFilm
1990The Stopping MindDirectorFilm
1986I Do Not Know What It Is I Am LikeDirector, Producer, CinematographyFilm
1986Silent LifeDirectorFilm
1986Sodium VaporDirectorFilm
1984Reverse Television - Portraits of ViewersDirectorFilm
1983AnthemDirector, WriterFilm
1982Ancient of DaysDirectorFilm
1981Hatsu Yume (First Dream)Director, Editor, Producer, Director of Photography, WriterFilm
1980Vegetable MemoryDirectorFilm
1979The Reflecting PoolDirector, Writer, Director of PhotographyFilm
1979Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat)Director, CreatorFilm
1979MoonbloodDirectorFilm
1979Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier 1979DirectorFilm
1977Sweet LightDirectorFilm
1977Memories Of Ancestral PowerDirectorFilm
1977The Wheel of BecomingDirectorFilm
1977Memory Surfaces and Mental PrayersDirectorFilm
1977The Morning After the Night of PowerDirectorFilm
1977He Weeps for YouDirectorFilm
1976The Space Between the TeethDirectorFilm
1976Junkyard LevitationDirectorFilm
1976Songs of InnocenceDirectorFilm
1976Truth Through Mass IndividuationDirectorFilm
1976Four SongsDirectorFilm
1975ReturnDirector, WriterFilm
1975Playing Soul Music to My Freckles So They Won't Get LonelyDirectorFilm
1975A Non-Dairy CreamerDirectorFilm
1975A Million Other Things (2)DirectorFilm
1975Red Tape: Collected WorksDirectorFilm
1975The Semi-Circular CanalsDirectorFilm
1973InformationDirectorFilm
—The CrossingDirectorFilm

Writing (3)

2005Tristan’s Ascension (The Sound of a Mountain Under a Waterfall)Idea, DirectorFilm
2004The RaftWriter, DirectorFilm
1983Reasons for Knocking at an Empty HouseWriter, DirectorFilm