Ep 3. Identity

In this episode of Art in the Twenty First Century, titled Identity, artists explore the complexities of the self and society's perception of it through their work. The episode features four artists: Catherine Opie, Laylah Ali, Pepón Osorio, and Oliver Herring.

Catherine Opie, a photographer, captures the landscapes of Los Angeles and people in her life, including members of the LGBTQ+ community and her family. Her work challenges and expands the conventional representation of identity, allowing her subjects to reclaim and redefine their own identities.

Laylah Ali's work focuses on the intersection of race, gender, and power. Her colorful paintings depict abstracted figures engaging in various scenarios that reflect societal and institutional structures of dominance. The episode also delves into her artistic process, revealing how she works with meaning and symbolism to express broader concepts about identity.

Pepón Osorio invites audiences into installations that reference and recreate environments from his own life—from his childhood home in Puerto Rico to his experiences as an immigrant in the United States. His work explores issues of class, race, and identity, using objects and details that are deeply connected to his personal experiences.

Oliver Herring uses collaborative and performative art practices to engage with community and explore self-awareness and relationships. In his "Task" pieces, a group of people come together to create a work of art based on a set of given instructions. This process allows for unexpected connections and relationships to form, while also exploring the boundaries of identity.

Throughout the episode, each of the four artists touches on different experiences and themes related to identity, ranging from the personal to the political. They challenge viewers to consider how we form and define our own identities, as well as the ways in which society attempts to shape and control them.

Overall, Identity is a thought-provoking episode that highlights the diversity and complexity of contemporary art, as well as the multitude of ways in which artists are engaging with pressing issues of identity and representation today.