How to Draw a Bunny

Theatrical Release Date: 2004 03 12 (USA - Limited)

UPC: 031398163862

Studio: Palm Pictures

Summary: Ray Johnson was an artist who followed a creative path so individual than even his closest friends were often hard put to explain just what he was up to. Once described as "the most famous unknown artist in America," Johnson was a legend partly for his work (in which he incorporated pop art images, collage, rubber stamps, and any number of other elements in a unique and groundbreaking manner), partly for his striking sense of humor (he once accepted an offer of 1,500 dollars for a piece after someone had offered to pay 2,000 dollars -- but cut 25 percent of the painting away before sending it to its new owner), and partly for his unique behavior (which many saw as a variety of performance art, including his suicide, after which he was found drowned in Sag Harbor -- with a treasure trove of unseen artwork carefully arranged in his home). How to Draw a Bunny (a title which refers to the cartoon rabbit that was Johnson's signature) is a documentary about Ray Johnson's always memorable life and death, and features video footage of the artist's performance pieces, as well as interviews with friends and contemporaries Roy Lichenstein, Christo, Chuck Close, and Billy Name; jazz great Max Roach composed the film's musical score. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Visual Arts [nf]

Awards: Special Documentary Jury Prize – Sundance Film Festival Best Documentary – Independent Spirit Awards

Features: "From the Cutting Room Floor"
"The Ray Johnson Memorial Show"
Commentary track featuring director John Walter & producer/cinematographer Andrew Moore
Photo gallery
Previews
Weblinks

How to Draw a Bunny

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 09/21/2004

Audio: DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 90 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Side #1 --
1. Friday the 13th [:04]
2. Richard Feigen [7:07]
3. Nothing [2:41]
4. 2x13 Portraits [4:07]
5. At Black Mountain [7:23]
6. Norman Solomon [2:34]
7. Lucky Strike [5:54]
8. Correspondance [4:27]
9. Brilliant Daze [5:40]
10. Billy Name [6:22]
11. Picasso Party [6:39]
12. Modern Art [5:01]
13. Coffee Break [3:55]
14. Kafka Break [4:45]
15. Floating Bodies [5:01]
16. Cause of Death [5:16]
17. A Work of Art [4:43]
18. Credits [5:56]
1. Gerry Ayres [5:09]
2. Remy Charlip [3:49]
3. Diane DiPrima [2:38]
4. James Rosenquist [2:49]
5. Judith Malina [3:09]
6. Deleted Scene: Ray's Mural [3:06]
7. Norman Solomon [11:19]

Cast and Crew: Chuck Close  Actor 
Roy Lichtenstein  Actor 
John Malkovich  Executive Producer 
Max Roach  Composer (Music Score) 
Lianne Halfon  Executive Producer 
John Walters  Director 
Steve Apicella  Executive Producer 
Thurston Moore  Composer (Music Score) 
Rocky Collins  Executive Producer 
Russ Smith  Executive Producer 
Andy Moore  Producer 

Country: USA