Around the Nation

Here are four arts and culture videos from public broadcasting partners around the nation.

From PBS Digital Studios, two videos from the series “Blank on Blank”:

“James Brown on Conviction, Respect and Reagan”
Interview by Rocci Fisch, 1984. Washington, D.C., Convention Center. Originally recorded for ABC News Radio:

Watch James Brown on Conviction, Respect and Reagan on PBS. See more from Blank on Blank.

“David Foster Wallace on Ambition”
Interview by Leonard Lopate, WNYC, March 4, 1996. Executive producer: David Gerlach. Animator: Patrick Smith:

Watch David Foster Wallace on Ambition on PBS. See more from Blank on Blank.

MN Original profiles Allen Brewer, “a visual artist who uses a variety of mediums to explore ideas of perception, understanding and truth. His latest project uses the words and descriptions of others to create new works based on pieces of art found at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. By using only the written description provided by museum-goers, Allen looks to highlight imperfections in a human’s ability to perceive and communicate.”

In this excerpt from “Live From Lincoln Center,” Audra McDonald performs “Craigslistlieder”:

“Unlikely but, as it turns out, perfectly fitting additions to the tradition of German lieder, these songs take their text and inspiration from ads on Craigslist. Audra McDonald pokes fun at her own classical training in these “passionate” performances.”

Watch Audra McDonald performs “Craigslistlieder” on PBS. See more from pbs.