Jonas Mekas reflects on Fluxus, film archives, and student protests in ArtReview feature

In a May 2018 ArtReview feature commemorating the 50th anniversary of May 1968 events, filmmaker Jonas Mekas shared his perspective on artistic movements and contemporary transitions. He emphasized that all experiences occur in the present moment, even when reflecting on past recordings. Mekas described the Anthology Film Archives in 1970 as a collective of filmmakers seeking escape from surrounding systems, bound together by mutual support despite different stylistic approaches. He referenced Fluxus founder George Maciunas' philosophy of accepting transitions with humor, noting that everything passes. Mekas expressed admiration for student protesters in the United States' March for Our Lives movement, finding their passion inspiring and powerful. He observed that the current generation is experiencing an interesting period of change, predicting that good developments are forthcoming. The filmmaker rejected linear progress narratives, advocating instead for drastic breaks from routine to avoid repetition. He cautioned against overvaluing current events or judging them as positive or negative.