Watch Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century

Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century is a television series produced by PBS Living that explores the creative process of contemporary artists working in a variety of mediums. Each episode features interviews with artists as they discuss their lives, thoughts, and work.

Since its launch in 2001, Art 21 has been a significant platform for discovering contemporary art and artists. The series is divided into eight seasons with each season exploring a different aspect of contemporary art. These eight seasons are curated with different themes, such as "Power" or "Change."

The show features prominent artists such as Julie Mehretu, William Kentridge, Paul McCarthy, and Ann Hamilton, and many others. The series is known for its insider view of the creative process, which is portrayed through exclusive footage of artists in their studios.

Throughout the series, viewers are taken on a journey through the artists' minds, as they explore their inspirations, influences, and techniques. Each episode is structured to present a number of artists whose work is either categorized under the same theme or are united in their contemporary approach. The episodes are divided into short chaptered installments that explore different dimensions of each artists' approach.

Furthermore, Art 21 is a platform for viewers to connect with new artists and familiarize themselves with different themes and genres of art. There are stories of artists who are new to the scene and have just made a significant breakthrough in their careers. For example, artist El Anatsui appeared in the 6th season of the series, where he shared the story of his meteoric rise to recognition on the global art scene. His story is one of the few that sheds light on the African art scene.

Throughout the series, we see how contemporary art influences its viewers and the world around us. Viewers get to see the ways in which contemporary art can provide perspectives on global issues such as race, gender, and power. One of the themes of the series, "Power," features artists who use their work to explore the concept of power in our society. This theme allows viewers to reshape their own understanding of power and how it affects them.

Aside from the subject matters of individual artists, there's the subject matter of art as a tool for bringing communities together. In the episode "Boundaries" from season nine, the artists explore how art can first identify and later dissolve boundaries, especially focusing on areas that are conflict-ridden, and have tight border control policies.

The series has been praised for its cinematography, editing, and sound design. The cinematography captures the textures, colors, and shapes of the artists' works, often featuring breathtaking shots of large-scale installations, vibrant paintings, or intricate sculptures. The editing of the series is notable for its emphasis on concise and well-structured narratives around the artists' work. The final output gives the viewer an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the artists' works without overwhelming the senses.

The sound design of the series is equally noteworthy. The sound design is curated in such a way that it parallels the subject matter of the artwork. For instance, the sound design of an installation featuring multiple sounds will be recorded distinctly to ensure that it blends in with the rest of the episode seamlessly. Such focus towards sonic details creates an immersive experience for the viewer, transporting them into the artists' world in a truly unique manner.

In conclusion, Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century is a fascinating television series that offers insights into the world of contemporary art from various perspectives. The series is an extraordinary platform for discovering new artists as well as viewing established ones. It provides thought-provoking insights into the creative process of artists, and the production quality is exceptional, leveraging techniques from written journalism, filmmaking, and sound design. Any art aficionado or budding artist would find this series immensely valuable.

Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century is a series that is currently running and has 9 seasons (23 episodes). The series first aired on September 21, 2001.