I finally saw the art21 William Kentridge documentary last night (available for online viewing if you missed it too), and it reminded me what a performative artist Kentridge is. At his MoMA exhibition sometimes, like in the Melies series, one was watching his recorded performance, but I think I forgot about the aspect because I was caught up in the action. He uses his body as a tool without making the work seem about himself. And the results are usually delightful.
I have not had a TV since I moved out of my parent’s house to go to college. At this point, it is a lifestyle choice, one that saves me from countless hours mindlessly flipping through channels and watching a rerun just for the sake of having something to watch. This has been a good decision for me on the whole. Add to this the ability to watch certain programs of choice via the internet, and I’m totally set. However, there are exceptions.
It began when I first realized how awesome the PBS series Art:21 is. How awesome is it? AWESOME. Then I kept hearing people mention a documentary called Herb & Dorothy, about a pair of art collectors called the Vogels (also PBS). Now, as you might have picked up from the clip above, there is a reality TV show called Work of Art, planned along the lines of Project Runway, for artists and Jerry Saltz is one of the judges. Certainly there is a movement from seriousness to frivolity in my exceptions but I would love to check it out–despite the ridiculous nature of a reality TV show based around art challenges. It airs tonight at 11 pm on Bravo. Or, for those sanctimonious fools without televisions, it is expected to be available on Hulu tomorrow.
Nope, not the movie (which I am eager to see 3-D), but Beijing artist Cao Fei. She has some perceptive comments on how people behave in virtual realities like Second Life or her project, RMB City. The more time I spend online, the more I think of it as a virtual reality for myself. My blog is my virtual home. If that makes the picture in the sidebar my avatar, I must find a photo where my hands don’t take up the whole picture.
Art:21 is a documentary series on contemporary visual artists, and this clip comes from season 5, fantasy episode. A part of PBS, the site allows you to watch their content online, but unfortunately season 5 isn’t up yet.