Ep 4. Humor

In season 2, episode 4 of Art in the Twenty-First Century, viewers are taken on a journey through the world of humor in contemporary art. The episode explores how artists use humor as a tool to provoke thought and critique society.

The episode features interviews with four artists who each take a unique approach to incorporating humor into their work. The first artist featured is William Wegman, known for his work with his beloved Weimaraner dogs. Wegman's photographs and videos are full of whimsy and wit, often featuring his dogs dressed up in funny costumes. The episode takes viewers behind the scenes of his photo shoots and shows how Wegman's dogs are trained to take direction and perform.

The next artist featured is Paul McCarthy, who uses humor to shock and challenge viewers. McCarthy's sculptures often include bodily excretions and grotesque imagery, designed to evoke discomfort in the viewer. The episode shows how McCarthy's work has sparked controversy and how he balances his desire to provoke with his need to create a safe environment for his collaborators.

The third artist featured is Kerry James Marshall, known for his paintings depicting African-American life and history. Marshall uses humor to subvert stereotypes and challenge dominant narratives. The episode highlights several of his paintings and the stories behind them, illustrating how humor can be used to draw attention to and subvert power dynamics.

The final artist featured is Walton Ford, whose large-scale watercolors feature detailed and fantastical animal imagery. Ford uses humor to play with the tension between reality and fantasy, often incorporating political and social commentary into his work. The episode shows how Ford's process is highly detailed and time-consuming, with each painting taking months to complete.

Throughout the episode, viewers are exposed to a wide range of humor styles, from the whimsical to the satirical. They also learn about the unique challenges and risks involved in using humor in artwork, such as offending audience members or becoming too reliant on shock value.

Humor in art is not often taken seriously, and this episode aims to debunk that notion. Through the stories of these four artists, viewers gain a greater appreciation for the ways in which humor can be used to tackle difficult subjects and make a powerful statement.