art21
Season 2
TV-PG
The only series on television in the US to focus exclusively on contemporary art and artists, "Art in the Twenty-First Century" is a Peabody Award-winning biennial program following artists at work as they transform inspiration into art.
Where to Watch art21 • Season 2
4 Episodes
- Stories
E1StoriesHow do artists tell stories in their work? How does contemporary art reflect and reveal narrative traditions? How does the art of today record and describe the world around us? The Art:21 documentary "Stories" explores these questions through the work of Charles Atlas, Kara Walker, Kiki Smith, Do-Ho Suh, and Trenton Doyle Hancock. - Loss and Desire
E2Loss and DesireHow do contemporary artworks embody emotion? How do artists express longing, love, and human experience in their work? The Art:21 documentary "Loss & Desire" explores these questions through the work of Charles Atlas, Collier Schorr, Gabriel Orozco, and Janine Antoni. - Time
E3TimePart 3 (of four): Time is the theme grouping the four artists profiled here. Among them: Martin Puryear, who's known for his large installations; Paul Pfeiffer, whose installations and video projects play off pop culture and sports; Vija Celmins, who specializes in natural forms; and Tim Hawkinson, whose installations have been as big as a football field. Choreographer Merce Cunningham hosts. - Humor
E4HumorConclusion. Humor is the theme grouping the four artists profiled here. Among them: Eleanor Antin, who finds room for a wink or two in her social commentary; Raymond Pettibon, whose comic-book art is for adults only; Elizabeth Murray, whose paintings are vibrant and zany; and Walton Ford, whose watercolors unite the natural and political worlds. Comedian Margaret Cho hosts.