ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Joan Jonas Represents the United States at the 2015 Venice Biennale

exhibition · 2026-04-22

Joan Jonas presented her work 'They Come to Us Without a Word' at the US Pavilion during the 2015 Venice Biennale. The installation featured video, sound, and performance elements, exploring themes of nature, memory, and ecological concerns. Jonas, a pioneering figure in video and performance art since the 1960s, was selected to represent the United States, marking a significant recognition of her influential career. The exhibition was documented with a photograph by Moira Ricci. The Biennale di Venezia, held in Venice, Italy, is one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions, attracting international artists and curators. Jonas's participation highlighted the pavilion's focus on experimental, multimedia approaches, contributing to broader dialogues on environmental issues and artistic innovation within the global art community. The event underscored the enduring relevance of Jonas's practice in challenging traditional art forms and engaging with urgent societal topics.

Key facts

  • Joan Jonas exhibited 'They Come to Us Without a Word' at the US Pavilion
  • The exhibition occurred during the 2015 Venice Biennale
  • The work incorporated video, sound, and performance elements
  • Themes included nature, memory, and ecological concerns
  • Joan Jonas is a pioneering video and performance artist
  • The Biennale di Venezia is a major international art exhibition in Venice, Italy
  • A photograph of the installation was taken by Moira Ricci
  • The event was posted on artcritical.com on May 20, 2015

Entities

Artists

  • Joan Jonas
  • Moira Ricci

Institutions

  • US Pavilion
  • Biennale di Venezia
  • artcritical

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy

Sources