Johanna Went began her career in the late 70’s as a musician in the Los Angeles punk scene. Although she still uses music in her work via artists such as Mark Wheaton and Suicide, her performances morphed into something more artistic and visually intriguing. In her work, Johanna typically incorporates unscripted and improvised movements and events, rhythmic and unnerving drumbeats and sounds, chaotic happenings, undecipherable murmurs, screams, and whining, various feminist themes, and an array of bizarre masks, costumes, and stage props. All of which she uses to basically freak the audience out, and evoke feelings of discomfort and disbelief. But at the heart of all the weird antics and chaos, is a woman who expresses herself through pure emotion, with no inhibitions whatsoever. Watching Johanna Went perform is like watching a wild animal give birth. Her presence on stage is primordial (if not a bit alarming), and for lack of a better term… totally punk rock.
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