Bill Viola
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- January 25, 1951
- Died
- July 12, 2024
- Birthplace
- 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.
Filmography
- The Crossing
The Crossing TBA
Director
The Deluge TBA
Actor, Director, Writer
- Processing the Signal
Processing the Signal TBA
as Himself
Das Theater im Sucher - Die Fotografin Ruth Walz 2026
as Self
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde 2018
Director
Bill Viola: The Road to St. Paul's 2017
as Self
- Mary
Mary 2016
Director, Writer
Martyrs: Earth 2014
Director
Martyrs: Water 2014
Director
Martyrs: Fire 2014
Director
Martyrs: Air 2014
Director
Martyrs 2014
Director
Inverted Birth 2014
Director
What Is Cinema? 2013
as Self
The Dreamers 2013
Director
Man Searching for Immortality/Woman Searching for Eternity 2013
Director
The Encounter 2012
Director
Walking on the Edge 2012
Director
Traveling on Foot 2012
Director
A Phrase from Chris 2011
Director
The Innocents 2008
Director
Three Women 2008
Director
Ocean Without a Shore 2007
Director
Poem B (The Guest House) 2006
Director
Basin of Tears 2005
Director
Ablutions 2005
Director
Fire Woman 2005
Director
Tristan’s Ascension (The Sound of a Mountain Under a Waterfall) 2005
Idea, Director
The Tristan Project 2004
Director
The Raft 2004
Writer, Director
Bill Viola: The Eye of the Heart 2003
as Self
Emergence 2003
Director
Fire Birth 2002
Director
Going Forth By Day 2002
as (segment "The Voyage"), Director, Writer, Cinematography, Editor
The Path 2002
Director
The Voyage 2002
as Gatekeeper, Director
- The Silent Sea
The Silent Sea 2002
Director
Four Hands 2001
Director
Catherine's Room 2001
Director
Surrender 2001
Director
The Quintet of the Astonished 2000
Director
Anima 2000
Director
- Ascension
Ascension 2000
Director
Eternal Return 2000
Director
The Crossing 1996
Director
Interval 1995
Director
The Veiling 1995
Director
The Greeting 1995
Director
Trovoada 1995
as Self (voice)
Déserts 1994
Director, Editor, Director of Photography, Writer
The Passing 1992
Director
The Sleepers 1992
Director
Heaven and Earth 1992
Director
The Nantes Triptych 1992
Director
Slowly Turning Narrative 1992
Director
The Stopping Mind 1990
Director
- Angel's Gate
Angel's Gate 1989
Idea, Editor, Director of Photography, Director
- Sodium Vapor
Sodium Vapor 1986
Director
I Do Not Know What It Is I Am Like 1986
as Himself, Director, Producer, Cinematography
Silent Life 1986
Director
Reverse Television - Portraits of Viewers 1984
Director
Reasons for Knocking at an Empty House 1983
Actor, Writer, Director
Anthem 1983
Director, Writer
Ancient of Days 1982
Director
Hatsu Yume (First Dream) 1981
Director, Writer, Director of Photography, Editor, Producer
- Vegetable Memory
Vegetable Memory 1980
Director
The Reflecting Pool 1979
as Performer, Director, Writer, Director of Photography
Moonblood 1979
Director
- Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier 1979
Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier 1979 1979
Director
Chott el-Djerid (A Portrait in Light and Heat) 1979
Director, Creator
- Memories Of Ancestral Power
Memories Of Ancestral Power 1977
Director
He Weeps for You 1977
Director
- The Morning After the Night of Power
The Morning After the Night of Power 1977
Director
- The Wheel of Becoming
The Wheel of Becoming 1977
Director
Memory Surfaces and Mental Prayers 1977
Director
- Sweet Light
Sweet Light 1977
Director
Guadalcanal Requiem 1977
Director of Photography
- Four Songs
Four Songs 1976
Director
- Junkyard Levitation
Junkyard Levitation 1976
Director
Songs of Innocence 1976
Director
The Space Between the Teeth 1976
Director
- Truth Through Mass Individuation
Truth Through Mass Individuation 1976
Director
Migration (for Jack Nelson) 1976
Actor, Director of Photography, Editor, Idea, Director
Red Tape: Collected Works 1975
Director
- A Million Other Things (2)
A Million Other Things (2) 1975
Director
The Semi-Circular Canals 1975
Director
- A Non-Dairy Creamer
A Non-Dairy Creamer 1975
Director
- Playing Soul Music to My Freckles So They Won't Get Lonely
Playing Soul Music to My Freckles So They Won't Get Lonely 1975
Director
- Return
Return 1975
Actor, Director, Writer
Information 1973
Director
Credits from TMDB.