Available online
Description
The programme is presented by the art critic and writer, Paul Overy. He explains the development of performance art in the U.S.A. and in Europe during the late 1950s and 60s. Artists ware no longer... content with just producing a canvas to put on the wall. They wanted to reach a wider public, to break down the gap between art and life. They claimed that they were mainly concerned with process and transience yet, ironically, they have been very keen to have their performances and events documented, recorded on film or video tape, and even sold to collectors. The material in the programme comes, therefore, from a wide variety of sources, both public and private. Sometimes, as in Stuart Brisley's film 'Arbeit Macht Frei' it is designed to shock or provoke. In other cases, Tinguelly's 'Homage to New York' or Metzger painting with acid, for instance, the film is a rare, if not unique, record of an essentially ephemeral event. The programme is an excellent example of how film and television, can provide students with material which would otherwise be quite inaccessible.
The programme is presented by the art critic and writer, Paul Overy. He explains the development of performance art in the U.S.A. and in Europe during the late 1950s and 60s. Artists ware no longer... content with just producing a canvas to put on the wall. They wanted to reach a wider public, to break down the gap between art and life. They claimed that they were mainly concerned with process and transience yet, ironically, they have been very keen to have their performances and events documented, recorded on film or video tape, and even sold to collectors. The material in the programme comes, therefore, from a wide variety of sources, both public and private. Sometimes, as in Stuart Brisley's film 'Arbeit Macht Frei' it is designed to shock or provoke. In other cases, Tinguelly's 'Homage to New York' or Metzger painting with acid, for instance, the film is a rare, if not unique, record of an essentially ephemeral event. The programme is an excellent example of how film and television, can provide students with material which would otherwise be quite inaccessible.
| Module code and title: | A351, Modern art from 1848 to the present: styles and social implications |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A351; 10 |
| First transmission date: | 15-09-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:22 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Mary Hoskins |
| Contributor: | Paul Overy |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Birthday party; Car crash; Jackson Pollock |
| Footage description: | The programme begins with clips of Jackson Pollock explaining his methods of painting. The growth of performance art in America is outlined. Stills of Kaprow happenings. A film made by Claes Oldenburg of a birthday party is described. Yves Klein's activities in Europe are also looked at briefly, using a filmed performance The next sequence looks briefly at the work of various artists, beginning with Brisley's car crash happening, and Latham's similar event. Part of Brisley's film "Arbeit macht frei". Film of Gilbert and George posing. Stills of Richard Long's work with the landscape. Film of Walter de Maria and his 'Art yard'. Works by Smithson and Christo are touched on. The early work of Beuys is looked at briefly. A longer clip of Beuys at work, talking to people in Northern Ireland. Overy looks at the work of various artists who see their events as a form of social action, i.e. Jules Baker and Graham Stevens. Its appeal is compared with staged participation as in modern day China. Examples of autodestructive art are shown - Tinguelly and Metzger. The influence of Metzger on The Who's performance in the late 60s is outlined. Film of Monterey. Overy sums up on the outcome of performance art. Clip of 'Cast'. Credits. "Eggs" happening and final production card. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72180 |
| Production number: | 00525_3210 |
| Videofinder number: | 3338 |
| Available to public: | no |
