Art 21 : art in the twenty-first century Season 4

Summary: Visually captivating and intriguing, contemporary art is admired and appreciated by many in museums and galleries. Yet few are given access to the creative processes behind the work—the inspirations and ideas that translate into compelling finished objects. Through in-depth profiles and interviews, Season 4 of "Art in the Twenty-First Century" reveals the inspiration, vision and techniques behind the creative works of some of today's most accomplished contemporary artists. Art21 travels across the country and abroad to film 17 contemporary artists, from painters and sculptors to photographers and filmmakers, in their own spaces and in their own words. The result is a rare opportunity for television viewers to experience first-hand the complex artistic process—from inception to finished product—behind some of today’s most thought-provoking art. The artists profiled in the series speak directly to the audience, describing their passions, impulses and methods. Viewers are invited behind-the-scenes to see artists at work in their studios, homes, communities, and in sites as diverse as an old-growth forest near Seattle, a military base in California, a theater academy in Warsaw, and a film set, in addition to galleries and museums. "This series not only showcases the contributions of these artists, but also transcends the everyday art experience of a museum or gallery visit," says Susan Sollins, Executive Producer of the series. "Viewers can discover what goes on inside the minds of these dynamic and thoughtful people, and what they have to say can significantly expand our knowledge and understanding of the world." As in the previous three seasons of "Art in the Twenty-First Century," each hour-long episode of Season 4 is loosely structured around a theme that unifies the individual artists – as diverse as their mediums may be. Season 4 episodes of "Art in the Twenty-First Century" include the themes of "Romance," "Protest," "Ecology," and "Paradox."