John S. Boskovich
Encyclopedia
John S. Boskovich was an artist, writer, filmmaker, and teacher. An only child, Boskovich was raised in the San Fernando Valley
and attended Notre Dame High School.
Boskovich received an undergraduate degree from USC, and went on to earn a MFA from the California Institute of the Arts
. At CalArts, he was a student of John Baldessari
, a conceptual artist who became a mentor. While attending CalArts, Boskovich simultaneously earned a law degree at Loyola Law School, although he never practiced law.
In the late 1980s Boskovich co-wrote and directed Without You I'm Nothing, a one-woman off-Broadway show starring actress and comedienne Sandra Bernhard
. He also directed the subsequent 1990 film version
. He later went on to direct North, a 2001 film which featured artist and writer Gary Indiana
reading from Louis-Ferdinand Céline
's novel of the same name.
As an artist, Boskovich was indebted to the Dadaists, and used found objects, photography, handwritten and typeset texts, as well as audio sources to create witty, sharp-edged, social commentary. From 1988 to 1999, Boskovich exhibited at the Rosamund Felsen Gallery
, now in Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, CA. A 1994 show entitled "Rude Awakening" was inspired by his friendship and work with the band Rude Awakening
, which included one of his friends, bassist Robert Calkin (a.k.a. Robert Ryder). The band's logo was included in many of his works. He also did the photography for their Headbutter E.P. using a technique he originated that incorporated video, television and Polaroid cameras. Boskovich continued to use this photographic technique, with the addition of textual elements, in his mid-1990s "It" series. A still later project involved Boskovich's transformation of his living space into an environmental artwork, often through architectural interventions or the incorporation of his older pieces into the space.
In the mid-1990s, Boskovich taught at Otis College of Art and Design
in Los Angeles
. He curated several shows of his students' works at Rosamund Felsen
.
Boskovich died at his home on September 24, 2006, aged 49, from undisclosed causes.
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
and attended Notre Dame High School.
Boskovich received an undergraduate degree from USC, and went on to earn a MFA from the California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
. At CalArts, he was a student of John Baldessari
John Baldessari
John Anthony Baldessari is an American conceptual artist known for his work featuring found photography and appropriated images. He lives and works in Santa Monica and Venice, California...
, a conceptual artist who became a mentor. While attending CalArts, Boskovich simultaneously earned a law degree at Loyola Law School, although he never practiced law.
In the late 1980s Boskovich co-wrote and directed Without You I'm Nothing, a one-woman off-Broadway show starring actress and comedienne Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard
Sandra Bernhard is an American comedian, singer, actress and author. She first gained attention in the late 1970s with her stand-up comedy in which she often bitterly critiques celebrity culture and political figures. Bernhard is number 97 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest standups of...
. He also directed the subsequent 1990 film version
Without You I'm Nothing (film)
Without You I'm Nothing is a 1990 film starring and written by comedian and singer Sandra Bernhard, based on material from her award-winning one-woman show of the same name. The film was shot on location in 1989 at The Coconut Grove in The Ambassador Hotel...
. He later went on to direct North, a 2001 film which featured artist and writer Gary Indiana
Gary Indiana
Gary Indiana is an American writer, filmmaker, and visual artist. He teaches philosophy and literature at the New School in New York City. He divides his time between New York and Los Angeles.- Fiction :...
reading from Louis-Ferdinand Céline
Louis-Ferdinand Céline
Louis-Ferdinand Céline was the pen name of French writer and physician Louis-Ferdinand Destouches . Céline was chosen after his grandmother's first name. He is considered one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, developing a new style of writing that modernized both French and...
's novel of the same name.
As an artist, Boskovich was indebted to the Dadaists, and used found objects, photography, handwritten and typeset texts, as well as audio sources to create witty, sharp-edged, social commentary. From 1988 to 1999, Boskovich exhibited at the Rosamund Felsen Gallery
Rosamund Felsen Gallery
Rosamund Felsen Gallery is an American art gallery that has been involved in and has influenced the art community in Los Angeles, California since the late seventies...
, now in Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, CA. A 1994 show entitled "Rude Awakening" was inspired by his friendship and work with the band Rude Awakening
Rude Awakening
Rude Awakening may refer to:In film:* Rude Awakening , directed by Georges Méliès* Rude Awakening , directed by Warren Sonbert...
, which included one of his friends, bassist Robert Calkin (a.k.a. Robert Ryder). The band's logo was included in many of his works. He also did the photography for their Headbutter E.P. using a technique he originated that incorporated video, television and Polaroid cameras. Boskovich continued to use this photographic technique, with the addition of textual elements, in his mid-1990s "It" series. A still later project involved Boskovich's transformation of his living space into an environmental artwork, often through architectural interventions or the incorporation of his older pieces into the space.
In the mid-1990s, Boskovich taught at Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design is an art and design college in Los Angeles, California.The school's programs, accredited by WASC and National Association of Schools of Art and Design, include four-year BFA degrees in illustration, fine arts, graphic design, architecture, landscape design, interior...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He curated several shows of his students' works at Rosamund Felsen
Rosamund Felsen Gallery
Rosamund Felsen Gallery is an American art gallery that has been involved in and has influenced the art community in Los Angeles, California since the late seventies...
.
Boskovich died at his home on September 24, 2006, aged 49, from undisclosed causes.