about the project.

For this project, students from the Clinton School for Writers and Artists worked with Jonas to explore the myth of a selfless rabbit who is rewarded by having his image eternally imprinted on the moon. Jonas previously studied a version of the myth in Japan, and created a book of images and photographs during her stay there.

The students and Jonas explored the myth’s symbolism and themes in the Aztec tradition through discussion, drawing, papier-mâché, and ultimately the creation of a sculpture and video work of art. Together, they created costumes in Japanese paper, crafted papier-mache’ masks, and constructed a variety of props to be used for the performance. Finally, the students enacted the tale of the self-less rabbit in a wooded area along the Hudson River.

Joan Jonas later cropped the footage into a circular image that was projected on a moon hanging from the ceiling, and conceived a fairytale-like sculptural video installation incorporating materials including an artificial lawn, cut-out free-standing rabbits as well as rabbit drawings blown up on the walls.

about the artist.

Joan Jonas was born in New York, where she continues to live and work. She completed BFA undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College, MA and School of Museum of Fine Arts, MA and her MFA from Columbia University, NY. Jonas, a pioneer of video and performance art, creates work that examines folklore, representation, and the real versus the imaginary. She is currently represented by Yvon Lambert Gallery, Paris, France.

To learn more, visit: www.yvon-lambert.com

about education.

Joan Jonas at the Clinton Middle School

Over eight weeks, the students and Jonas explored the myth’s symbolism and themes in the Aztec tradition through discussion, drawing, papier-mâché, and ultimately the creation of a sculpture and video work of art. Together, they created costumes in Japanese paper, crafted papier-mache’ masks, and constructed a variety of props to be used for the performance. Finally, the students enacted the tale of the self-less rabbit in a wooded area along the Hudson River.