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Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century - Season 1

Series: Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century
4.6
(24)
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Episodes
4
Rating
TVPG
Year
2001
Language
English
Publisher
PBS

About

Meet the most dynamic visual artists of our time in the award-winning documentary series Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century. Unparalleled in its access to today's artists, this unique series invites viewers into artists' studios, homes and communities to provide an intimate view of their lives, creative processes, and sources of inspiration. The one-hour programs present groundbreaking artists of the new century at work and speaking in their own words-direct, accessible, and unfiltered-about how, why, and what they create. Compelling and thought-provoking, Art in the Twenty-First Century takes viewers behind the scenes-and beyond the museum or gallery experience-to reveal how contemporary art can change how we see the world around us.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 4

1. 01-Place

1h

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With an introduction and video art by Laurie Anderson, this program considers the influence of place -- physical, conceptual or psychological; regional, national or transnational -- on such artists as Richard Serra, whose massive rolled-steel plates carve private moments out of public spaces; Sally Mann, whose photographs record the historical scars and romanticism latent in the landscape of the South; Barry McGee and Margaret Kilgallen, two San Francisco-based artists whose works blend elements of social realist murals and folk traditions with graffiti and other urban symbols; and Pepon Osorio, whose sculptural assemblages and installations are intimately tied to location, evoking the survival of communities across borders.

2. 02-Spirituality

1h

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This episode addresses the continuing examination of the spiritual in art and life. James Turrell's works are investigated as they relate to and depart from his Quaker heritage, and through the idea of light as a metaphor for the spiritual. Ann Hamilton's installations, which often feature a solitary figure attending to a task, evoke not only a sense of mortality and quiet meditation, but also awe. The labor-intensive miniature paintings of Shahzia Sikander combine figurative and abstract elements from both the Muslim and Hindu faiths. And the books, sculptures and installations of John Feodorov whimsically examine New Age assumptions about Native-American spirituality.

3. 03-Identity

1h

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With an introduction created by Steve Martin and William Wegman, this episode examines how artists confront the questions "Who am I?" and "Who are we?" in a pluralistic, multicultural world. Kerry James Marshall's paintings and installations emerge from his deep ties to family, as well as his lifelong study of art history. Louise Bougeois' work echoes some of today's most pressing social issues, including childhood trauma and the importance of memory. The densely psychological videos of Bruce Nauman examine the relationships among artist, viewer and society. And the work of Maya Lin, who achieved national fame when her now-famous design was selected for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, seeks to make a place for individuals within the landscape.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Catherine Tatgedirector