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art:21
art in the twenty-first century the series the artists education events discuss

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season 2 (2003)

overview
episode: “stories”
episode: “loss & desire”
episode: “time”
episode: “humor”
companion products
educators' guide
credits

major underwriting for season 2 provided by

National Endowment for the Arts

Public Broadcasting Service

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

The Allen Foundation for the Arts

Agnes Gund and Daniel Shapiro

Bloomberg

The Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation

Nonprofit Finance Fund

JPMorgan Chase

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation

New York Arts Recovery Fund

Peter Norton Family Foundation

New York Times Company Foundation

Dorothea L. Leonhart Foundation

Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation



Season 1+2 DVD
Learn more about the Season One & Two DVD set





“For anyone who does not have the daily exposure to the art and artists of their time, this series is invaluable. Even for those of us who do, this series offers unique insights and reflections. There is every reason to see it.”
—Agnes Gund, President Emerita, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
season 2 (2003)

Contemporary art breaks out of the confines of museums and art galleries in Season 2 of
“Art:21–Art in the Twenty-First Century.” Shattering the myth of the artist as an isolated genius, this unique series introduces television audiences to 16 artists working in America today. Art:21 is the only series on television to focus exclusively on contemporary art, and it uses the medium to provide an experience of the visual arts that goes far beyond a gallery visit. Fascinating and intimate footage allows the viewer to observe the artists at work, watch their process as they transform inspiration into art, and hear their thoughts as they grapple with the physical and visual challenges of achieving their artistic visions.

John Waters in Stories
Episode: “Stories”
John Waters hosts
Jane Alexander opens Loss & Desire
Episode: “Loss & Desire”
Jane Alexander hosts
 
Merce Cunningham in Time
Episode: “Time”
Merce Cunningham hosts
Margaret Cho in Humor
Episode: “Humor”
Margaret Cho hosts

praise for season 2

“Mass culture thrives on piety, genuine or faked,and piety suffocates art...Art:21 works quite well because it ignores that propensity.”
—Los Angeles Times

”...the very existence of Art:21—Art in the Twenty-First Century feels groundbreaking.”
—Village Voice

“It’s the kind of programming that makes public television shine.”
—Seattle Times

“What is refreshing about Art:21 is that it’s a rare instance of public television doing its job, by bringing challenging and even controversial art before the public.”
—Sun-Sentinal

“Delivers ample evidence that challenging new art is being made by thoughtful, gifted and sincere artists who seem genuinely more concerned with work than with fame and fortune.”
—San Jose Mercury News


“Feeding a hunger for contemporary art [Art:21] introduces viewers to contemporary artists by presenting their work and thoughts, and showing how and why they do what they do.”
– Museum News

“As director of a museum of contemporary art, I see daily how students and the public are fascinated by the work of today’s artists ... The Art:21 series is particularly effective in bringing forward the artists, art, and ideas that represent our time and culture.” —Richard Andrews, Director, Henry Art Gallery, Seattle


more than a broadcast

Learn more about the sixteen artists in Season Two with these unique companion materials and programs:

The Season Two Companion Book, Art:21—Art in the Twenty First Century 2, mirrors the unique strengths of the television series, presenting the profiled artists directly and in their own words. Conversations with the artists are dynamically juxtaposed with beautiful, full-color images of their work, featuring 387 illustrations, including 355 plates in full color.

The Season Two Educators' Guide introduces teachers, museum educators, and resource coordinators to a wide range of contemporary artists. With over 40 full-color images, the 32-page Guide presents discussion questions and activities as well as biographical information on each of the featured Season Two artists. This Guide is also a doorway to additional educational materials on the Art:21 Web site in the Online Lesson Library. We encourage educators to use the broadcast series, Educators' Guide and Online Lesson library in tandem to introduce contemporary art and ideas into classroom discussion and community dialogue.

Art21 is working with community organizations, schools, and museums to create more than 100 special Art:21 screening events across the country! Click here to learn how you can set up an Art21 event in your hometown. {link to Wes’s How-to host a screening site} Building on the success of Art21’s Season One outreach initiatives, we plan to create even more workshops, screenings, and training institutes this year, connecting Art21 artists with regional communities throughout the United States.
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