Watch Herb & Dorothy 50x50

Herb & Dorothy 50x50 is a touching documentary film that revolves around the life of Herbert and Dorothy Vogel, a couple who had a passion for visual art. The movie was directed by Megumi Sasaki and released in 2013. It features interviews with the Vogels and some of the artists they collected, as well as archival footage and photographs of their journey.

The documentary is a sequel to the earlier movie, Herb & Dorothy, which was released in 2008. That movie chronicled the couple's story of acquiring and collecting contemporary art on a modest budget, which ultimately led to a legendary personal collection of more than 4,000 pieces, valued at several million dollars.

Fast-forward 10 years, in Herb & Dorothy 50x50, we learn that the Vogels were determined to share their collection with the public. They wanted to see it placed in museums across the United States to ensure that their love for art would continue to inspire people long after they were gone.

The movie begins with a brief overview of the Vogels' accomplishments and their zest for life. Herb and Dorothy were a unique couple, and their love for each other was clear to all who knew them. They lived modestly, with no children and no car, in a rent-controlled one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.

The couple found art to be an essential part of their lives, so they started collecting art pieces in the 1960s, eventually forming a reputation as important collectors. Their collection includes works from artists such as Minimalists, Richard Tuttle, Donald Judd, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Mangold, among many others.

Half a century later, at the age of 85, Herbert Vogel passed away, leaving behind his wife Dorothy and an art collection that was now too big for their apartment. In the documentary, we see Dorothy going through the pain of losing her life-long partner and the difficulty of managing the art collection on her own.

The monumental task of managing and distributing the art collection fell to Dorothy Vogel, who was 78 years old at the time. To ensure that their collection would continue to inspire people, she initiated an art donation program with the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. In this new initiative, 50 pieces of art were given to one museum in each of the 50 states, making it the largest donation of artwork in history.

The film follows the Vogels' artwork donation journey, visiting different states and meeting curators and museum staff. Dorothy is seen making personal connections with the people involved in the program. It's a beautiful thing to watch as the Vogels' passion and love for art come to life through the people they meet and the artwork they donated.

One of the highlights of the film is the juxtaposition between the Vogels' modest lifestyle and the large art collections they have amassed. The viewer gains an insight into their unique artistic tastes, and see an abundance of art pieces. We also hear from the artists themselves, who describe how Herbert and Dorothy Vogel's support and encouragement allowed them to pursue their artistic vision.

In conclusion, Herb & Dorothy 50x50 is a powerful movie that tells a story of two people who found happiness in art. The documentary is an homage to the Vogels' love for art and their contribution to the art world. The film is a perfect fit for any art enthusiast looking for a real-life story that showcases the importance of art and how it can inspire and transform people's lives. It's a wholesome movie that leaves the viewer with a smile on their face and feeling inspired.