Independent Lens Season 9 Episode 23 The Cool School

The show Independent Lens is a documentary series that aims to showcase a range of films from different genres, reflecting issues, stories, and viewpoints of diverse communities in America and around the world. Season 9 episode 23 titled "The Cool School" tells the story of the Ferus Art Gallery, which was founded in Los Angeles during the 1950s by Walter Hopps and artist Ed Kienholz.

The episode chronicles the rise and fall of the gallery, which was considered the "cool school" of modern art in California. The documentary delves into the history of the gallery that played a significant role in the post-World War II art boom, as well as the contemporary art movement in the US.

The episode features interviews with art collectors, historians, and surviving artists who were involved in the Ferus gallery. Through their anecdotes and memories, they provide a detailed account of how the gallery transformed the art scene in Los Angeles from a cultural backwater to a globally recognized art hub.

The episode describes the gallery's origins, starting with Hopps and Kienholz's first collaboration on the landmark exhibition "Abstract Expressionist Ceramics" in 1954. The episode also features interviews with notable artists who contributed to the gallery's success, including Ed Ruscha, Larry Bell, Ed Moses, and Robert Irwin.

The documentary showcases the gallery's unique approach to displaying artwork. Artists were given complete control over their installations, resulting in often unconventional and surprising exhibitions. For example, when artist Ken Price had his first solo exhibition at the Ferus gallery, he insisted on installing an air conditioning system to control the temperature and humidity levels so that his ceramic sculptures would not crack in the hot Californian sun.

The episode highlights the Ferus gallery's influence on the larger art world. It helped catalyze the careers of many artists who went on to become major figures in contemporary art. Artists like Ruscha, Bell, and Moses, who were largely unknown before exhibiting at Ferus, eventually gained international recognition for their work. The gallery also fostered a supportive community of artists who challenged each other to push boundaries and experiment with new mediums.

The show also explores how the Ferus gallery's legacy has endured, even after its closure in 1966 due to mounting financial problems. The gallery continues to be recognized for its innovation and its role in elevating West Coast art. Several contemporary artists and curators cite Ferus as an inspiration and continue to draw from its ethos of experimentation and creative freedom.

In conclusion, season 9 episode 23 of Independent Lens titled "The Cool School" offers a fascinating glimpse into the art world of the 1950s and 1960s in Los Angeles. Through archival footage, interviews, and anecdotes, the documentary brings to life the Ferus gallery and its impact on the contemporary art scene. The episode paints a vivid picture of a crucial moment in American art history and illustrates how one gallery's ethos of experimentation and free expression continues to inspire new generations of artists.