Bill Viola
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- 25 January 1951 · Queens, New York, USA
A pioneer in the medium of video art, Bill Viola's work explores the spiritual and perceptual side of human experience. Since 1970 he has created videotapes, architectural video installations, sound environments, electronic music performances and pieces for television. Works include Hatsu Yume (First Dream), The Passing, and installations Room for St. John of the Cross, The Messenger and The Quintet of the Astonished, recently shown at the National Gallery, London in "Encounters, New Art from Old". A 25-year survey exhibition of his work organized by The Whitney Museum of American Art recently traveled to 6 institutions in the USA and Europe. MacArthur Fellow.
Known for
Acting 13
- 2026Processing the Signal as Himself
- 2026The Deluge
- 2017Bill Viola: The Road to St. Paul's as Self
- 2013What Is Cinema? as Self
- 2003Bill Viola: The Eye of the Heart as Self
- 2002Going Forth By Day as (segment "The Voyage")
- 2002The Voyage as Gatekeeper
- 1995Trovoada as Self (voice)
- 1986I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like as Himself
- 1983Reasons for Knocking at an Empty House
- 1979The Reflecting Pool as Performer
- 1976Migration (for Jack Nelson)
- 1975Return
Directing 82
- 2026The Crossing · director
- 2018Wagner: Tristan und Isolde · director
- 2016Mary · director
- 2014Martyrs: Earth · director
- 2014Martyrs: Water · director
- 2014Martyrs: Fire · director
- 2014Martyrs: Air · director
- 2014Martyrs · director
- 2014Inverted Birth · director
- 2013Man Searching for Immortality/Woman Searching for Eternity · director
- 2013The Dreamers · director
- 2012The Encounter · director
- 2012Walking on the Edge · director
- 2012Traveling on Foot · director
- 2011A Phrase from Chris · director
- 2008The Innocents · director
- 2008Three Women · director
- 2007Ocean Without a Shore · director
- 2006Poem B (The Guest House) · director
- 2005Basin of Tears · director
- 2005Ablutions · director
- 2005Fire Woman · director
- 2005Tristan’s Ascension (The Sound of a Mountain Under a Waterfall) · director
- 2004The Tristan Project · director
- 2004The Raft · director
- 2003Emergence · director
- 2002Fire Birth · director
- 2002Going Forth By Day · director
- 2002The Path · director
- 2002The Voyage · director
- 2002The Silent Sea · director
- 2001Four Hands · director
- 2001Catherine's Room · director
- 2001Surrender · director
- 2000The Quintet of the Astonished · director
- 2000Anima · director
- 2000Eternal Return · director
- 2000Ascension · director
- 1996The Crossing · director
- 1995Interval · director
- 1995The Veiling · director
- 1995The Greeting · director
- 1994Déserts · director
- 1992The Passing · director
- 1992The Nantes Triptych · director
- 1992The Sleepers · director
- 1992Slowly Turning Narrative · director
- 1992Heaven and Earth · director
- 1990The Stopping Mind · director
- 1989Angel's Gate · director
- 1986Sodium Vapor · director
- 1986I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like · director
- 1986Silent Life · director
- 1984Reverse Television - Portraits of Viewers · director
- 1983Reasons for Knocking at an Empty House · director
- 1983Anthem · director
- 1982Ancient of Days · director
- 1981Hatsu Yume (First Dream) · director
- 1980Vegetable Memory · director
- 1979The Reflecting Pool · director
- 1979Moonblood · director
- 1979Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat) · director
- 1979Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier 1979 · director
- 1977Memories Of Ancestral Power · director
- 1977The Wheel of Becoming · director
- 1977Sweet Light · director
- 1977Memory Surfaces and Mental Prayers · director
- 1977The Morning After the Night of Power · director
- 1977He Weeps for You · director
- 1976Junkyard Levitation · director
- 1976Songs of Innocence · director
- 1976Four Songs · director
- 1976The Space Between the Teeth · director
- 1976Truth Through Mass Individuation · director
- 1976Migration (for Jack Nelson) · director
- 1975A Million Other Things (2) · director
- 1975The Semi-Circular Canals · director
- 1975A Non-Dairy Creamer · director
- 1975Red Tape: Collected Works · director
- 1975Playing Soul Music to My Freckles So They Won't Get Lonely · director
- 1975Return · director
- 1973Information · director
Writing 12
- 2016Mary · writer
- 2005Tristan’s Ascension (The Sound of a Mountain Under a Waterfall) · idea
- 2004The Raft · writer
- 2002Going Forth By Day · writer
- 1994Déserts · writer
- 1989Angel's Gate · idea
- 1983Reasons for Knocking at an Empty House · writer
- 1983Anthem · writer
- 1981Hatsu Yume (First Dream) · writer
- 1979The Reflecting Pool · writer
- 1976Migration (for Jack Nelson) · idea
- 1975Return · writer
crew 3
- 2002Going Forth By Day · cinematography
- 1986I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like · cinematography
- 1979Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat) · creator
Editing 5
- 2002Going Forth By Day · editor
- 1994Déserts · editor
- 1989Angel's Gate · editor
- 1981Hatsu Yume (First Dream) · editor
- 1976Migration (for Jack Nelson) · editor
Camera 6
- 1994Déserts · director of photography
- 1989Angel's Gate · director of photography
- 1981Hatsu Yume (First Dream) · director of photography
- 1979The Reflecting Pool · director of photography
- 1977Guadalcanal Requiem · director of photography
- 1976Migration (for Jack Nelson) · director of photography
Production 2
- 1986I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like · producer
- 1981Hatsu Yume (First Dream) · producer