section learning with art21 a contents about this guide 1 What Is ART21? What Is ART21 Education? The Learning with ART21 Guide is a 2 What Is Contemporary Art? resource for introducing contemporary 3 About ART21 Films art and artists into classroom and community-based learning. Educators 4 Artists as Creative Role Models are encouraged to use this guide and 5 Artists and Interdisciplinary Learning other available resources on the ART21 6 Facilitating Conversations website to encourage dialogue, facilitate 7 Active Viewing critical inquiry, support research and 8 In the Museum exploration, and enhance curricula in a 9 Young Students wide range of subject areas. 10 Standards 11 Go Further Cover image: Trevor Paglen. Singleton/SBWASS-R1 and Three Unidentified Spacecraft (Space Based Wide Area Surveillance System; USA 32), 2012. C-print, 60 x 48 inches. Courtesy the artist, Metro Pictures, Altman Siegel, and Galerie Thomas Zander. © Trevor Paglen This page: Alfredo Jaar. Lament of the Images (Version 1), 2002. Mixed-media installation, three Plexiglas plates with inscriptions, light wall, dimensions variable. Collection of The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Lelong, New York. © Alfredo Jaar art21 films art21 online Art in the Twenty-First Century art21.org The first and only nationally broadcast All ART21 materials are available for public television series to focus exclu- free online. A growing stand-alone sively on contemporary visual art and resource, the ART21 website highlights artists living in cities around the world, the works and words of artists featured Art in the Twenty-First Century in our films through interviews, artwork what is art21? introduces audiences to a diverse group surveys, production stills, artist ART21 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing of established artists and to the art projects, and resources for educators. they are producing now: audiences to today’s visual artists, stimulating critical art21.org/films/ blog.art21.org reflection and conversation through the production art-in-the-twenty-first-century ART21 Magazine (previously the ART21 of films, books, artist projects, educational programs, Blog) provides a space for insightful New York Close Up writing on contemporary art and artists. and special events. This series of two- to eight-minute Regular columns, original editorial videos explores the lives of young features, exclusive videos and inter- artists living in New York City: views, and previously unpublished what is art21 education? art21.org/newyorkcloseup content from ART21’s rich archive all The ART21 Michael C. Sandler Education Program engages reflect the organization’s approach to Exclusive stimulating critical reflection. Published audiences in dialogue about contemporary art and the This series blends newly shot and six times per year, each issue of the artists featured in ART21 films. ART21’s educational previously unreleased archival footage magazine is devoted to a single theme. of artists featured in the Art in the initiatives include the ART21 Educators program and Twenty-First Century series and pbs.org/art21 learning community, interpretive resources, professional focuses on a singular aspect of an ART21 on pbs.org chronicles the development workshops and lectures, participatory artist’s process: art21.org/exclusive television series Art in the Twenty- events, and screenings. First Century, and presents the artists Artist to Artist and themes featured in the PBS broad- This series features contemporary cast, complete episodes, and download- ART21’s educational initiatives are based on the organiza- visual artists in conversation with their able Educators’ Guides for each season. tion’s belief that the art and ideas of contemporary visual peers: art21.org/artisttoartist social-media artists are powerful models for creative and critical think- William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible Join ART21’s active online communities ing across subjects and disciplines. Inspired by our films, This one-hour Peabody Award–winning across multiple social-media platforms: in which contemporary artists talk about their motivations film provides an intimate look into the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and methods, ART21 encourages educators and their mind and creative process of South and Pinterest. African artist William Kentridge: students to think and work like artists, using thematic, art21.org/anythingispossible inquiry-driven, process-oriented, playful, collaborative, All films are available for viewing online and interdisciplinary strategies that reflect how artists at art21.org. ART21 Art in the Twenty- think and make work today. First Century and William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible are also available download-to-own from the iTunes store, or may be ordered on DVD from ShopPBS and Davis Publications. ART21 New York Close Up, ART21 Exclusive, and ART21 Artist to Artist films are available on iTunes, YouTube, and Hulu. 1 what is contemporary art? about art21 films ART21 defines contemporary art as the work of artists In ART21 films, contemporary artists speak directly to the audience in their living in the twenty-first century. Contemporary artists own words, reflecting on their lives, sources of inspiration, and working dynamically combine materials, methods, and concepts that challenge traditional boundaries and defy easy processes. ART21 films offer an opportunity to go behind the scenes and into definition. Contemporary art is distinguished by the very the studios, galleries, and public spaces where artists plan, create, and exhibit lack of a uniform organizing principle, ideology, or “-ism.” their work. In a globalized world, contemporary artists give voice to the ever-changing cultural landscape. ART21 films convey why artists make work. Cindy Sherman talks about the props and costumes she The work of contemporary artists mirrors contemporary When contemporary artists discuss their motivations uses to set the tone of her photographic portraits in the culture and society, offering audiences different ways to and sources of inspiration students are able to better ART21 Art in the Twenty-First Century, Season 5 episode consider current ideas and rethink the familiar. Audiences understand different roles artists play in society and how “Transformation.” play an active role in the process of constructing meaning art is connected to current events, themes, and questions about works of art, and some artists consider their artworks Glenn Ligon produces one of his stencil paintings with pertinent to the world around them. completed when the viewer contributes his or her personal a studio assistant in the ART21 Art in the Twenty-First reflections, experiences, opinions, and interpretations. LaToya Ruby Frazier describes her commitment to Century, Season 6 episode “History.” ART21 content encourages audiences to access their documenting her hometown of Braddock, Pennsylvania, abilities to consider, react, and respond to visual art. in the ART21 New York Close Up film LaToya Ruby Frazier ART21 films showwhat artists make. Takes on Levi’s. From museums and galleries to public spaces, the various Curiosity, openness, and dialogue are important tools for contexts shown in ART21 films suggest the numerous engaging with contemporary art. Instead of questioning Mary Mattingly talks about her personal responsibility for ways artists can present their work to the public. As artists whether a work of art is “good” or “bad,” the study of the objects she owns in light of global manufacturing and discuss their work, students hear how their own ideas about contemporary art requires a more open-ended methodology supply chains in the ART21 New York Close Up film Mary a work of art relate to the artists’ ideas and intentions. and an inquiry-based approach. Asking questions that Mattingly Owns Up. ignite discussion and stimulate debate is an important Cao Fei discusses her avatar and project for Second Life, Carrie Mae Weems discusses her project to re-present RMB City, in the ART21 Exclusive film Cao Fei: Avatars. first step toward appreciating and interpreting works of art major events in the struggle for civil rights at a time when that can defy expectation, may provoke strong responses, Barack Obama was running as the first Black candidate for Allora & Calzadilla talk about their collaborative sound or contradict personal beliefs or societal values. president of the United States, in the ART21 Art in the installation Clamor in the ART21 Art in the Twenty-First Artists have long explored timely (and timeless) subject Twenty-First Century, Season 5 “Compassion” episode. Century, Season 4 episode “Paradox.” matter and represented the pertinent issues of their day. Mark Dion takes viewers on a tour of his public work Today, artists continue to push the boundaries of what art ART21 films showhow artists make work. installed in the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle, is and how it can be made, joining a legacy of artistic When artists describe their methods inside or outside of the Washington, in his ART21 Exclusive film Mark Dion: production as innovators, rule breakers, provocateurs, studio, students see the myriad ways that art is created Neukom Vivarium. and concerned citizens responding to and representing their today. From digital tools to traditional media and materials, unique personal, social, and political perspectives. from working independently to collaborating with special- ists, ART21 films offer an expanded sense of the artistic ART21’s