Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century Season 6 Episode 4 Balance

Art 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century season 6 episode 4, titled "Balance," explores the theme of balance and its manifestation in the works of four diverse contemporary artists. Each one of them has a unique approach to achieving balance in their art.

The first artist featured is Suzanne McClelland, a painter who uses language and color to evoke emotion and balance in her work. Her paintings are inspired by language and literature, and she explores the relationship between words and imagery. Through her art, she aims to create a sense of balance by bringing together disparate elements of text and color.

Next, the episode introduces Brian Jungen, a Canadian artist of indigenous descent, who reimagines cultural symbols to create new forms of balance. Jungen explores the balance between the old and the new, the traditional and the contemporary, by creating sculptural pieces from everyday objects. He combines elements of his indigenous heritage with pop culture references to create works that challenge our perceptions of cultural identity.

The third artist featured is Mary Reid Kelley, a video artist who uses language, symbolism, and humor to achieve balance. Her videos are playful and dark, and they explore themes of gender and power in contemporary society. Reid Kelley's artworks challenge viewers with their use of language, and she balances the tension between the narrative and the visual elements.

Lastly, the episode turns to Leonardo Drew, a sculptor who uses found objects to create large-scale installations and abstract works. His pieces are both chaotic and ordered, and he aims to create harmony out of discord through his works. Drew's art explores the balance between the natural and the man-made, the organic and the industrial.

"Balance" is a thought-provoking episode that challenges viewers to consider the different ways in which balance can be achieved in contemporary art. The four artists featured in the episode offer unique approaches to this theme, and their artworks demonstrate the power of balance to create meaning and evoke emotion.