PBS presents
ART21
Art in the twenty-first century
URBAN MISSION CABINET INC. at the former BETHANY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH In TRENTON NJ
HOSTS A PUBLIC SCREENING and
DISCUSSION OF
ART IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, Episodes One through Four
FROM SEASON SIX OF
THE PEABODY AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY SERIES
ART21 PARTNERS
WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE TO HOST EVENTS INSPIRED BY
SEASON SIX, WHICH PREMIERED THIS APRIL ON PBS
Trenton NJ — April 29, 2012 — URBAN MISSION CABINET INC. at the former BETHANY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 400 Hamilton Avenue, in
partnership with Art21 as part of its Access '12 initiative,
presents an opportunity to engage local artists and the general public in discussion
of artistic concerns and issues in contemporary art after the screening of the
sixth season of Art in the Twenty-First Century, the only prime time
national television series focused exclusively on contemporary art. The series
will be shown on two Friday evenings, May 11th and May 18th
starting at 5:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public.
On Friday May 11th at 5:30 pm, Episodes 1 Change and 2 Boundaries will be shown at the same time in different screening
rooms; there will be a short break and then at 7:00 pm, the Episodes will be
screened again so viewers can see both shows. Afterwards a discussion will be led
by local Art21 coordinator Elise Mannella and Alyin Green of Grounds for
Sculpture. Conversation may continue at Trenton Social.
On Friday May 18th at 5:30 pm, Episodes 3 History and 4 Balance will again be shown simultaneously in different screening rooms,
with a switch at 7:00 pm as noted above. Discussion afterwards will be led by
local Art21 coordinator Elise Mannella
and Lynn Lemyre of Artworks.
Art21 Access '12 is
an international screening initiative created to increase knowledge of
contemporary art, ignite dialogue, and inspire creative thinking through
hundreds of public screenings and events that tailor the ideas presented in
series to the interests and concerns of local audiences. The season premiered
on PBS April 13th with a new episode each Friday during the April and May at 9
pm (check local listings). Through in-depth profiles and interviews, the
four-part series reveals the inspiration, vision and techniques behind the creative
works of some of today’s most thought-provoking artists.
“I thought it was important to bring this series to the Mercer
County/lower Bucks County art
community,” says organizer Elise Mannella, “because there are few opportunities
locally to discuss what is going on in contemporary art. It also stimulates
creative thinking and exposure to new ideas—both important for developing a
culture of ideas that attracts creative individuals and those engaged in the
creative economy. I am pleased that our host for the screenings Executive
Director Jacque Howard of Bethany Presbyterian Church is as excited about the
series as I am.”
The venue for the viewing is the former Bethany
Presbyterian Church, which began as a vision from a local resident who thought
there should be a Presbyterian Congregation within walking distance of the
“Borough of Chambersburg” in NJ’s Capital City Trenton. The facility built in 1892 currently
functions as a gathering place for worship services, counseling and food
services as well as events that showcase the arts and culture in this diverse
community. “In my opinion” stated Jacque, “partnering with Elise, Aylin, Lynn
and their respective organizations is a win – win for the community on many
levels. I firmly believe arts and
partnerships like this could be the catalyst to resurrect urban development!”
"Art21 Access '12 provides
an opportunity for organizations around the country and the world to experience
a central goal of Art21—dialogue inspired by contemporary art and the ideas it
expresses," said Susan Sollins, Executive Producer of Art21. "We hope
that participating organizations find ways to best utilize the Art21 materials
for their respective communities and that audiences will take full advantage of
the events in their area and discover the life-changing potential of viewing
creative role models at work. Our goal is that these events spark new
conversations, and expose all kinds of viewers to the important work of the
artists profiled in the series."
More details on each episode is available:
May 11 at 5:30 and 7:00 pm
Episode 1: Change
This episode features artists who bear witness, through their work, to
transformation—cultural, material, and aesthetic—and actively engage
communities as collaborators and subjects.
Ai Weiwei,
El Anatsui, and
Catherine Opie are
featured.
May 18 at 5:30 and 7:00 pm
Episode 3: History
In this episode, artists play with historical events, explore and expose
commonly held assumptions about historic 'truth', and create narratives based
on personal experiences.
Marina Abramovic,
Glenn Ligon, and
Mary Reid Kelley are
featured.
Episode 4: Balance
Through sculpture, paintings, and installations, the artists in this hour
grapple with equilibrium and disequilibrium as they create highly structured
works that challenge conventional notions of perception and representation.
Rackstraw Downes,
Robert Mangold, and
Sarah Sze are
featured.
ABOUT ART21
Over the last decade, Art21 has established itself as the
preeminent chronicler of contemporary art and artists through its Peabody
Award-winning biennial television series Art in the Twenty-First Century. The
organization has used the power of digital media to expose millions of people
of all ages to contemporary art and artists and has created a new paradigm for
teaching and learning about the creative process.
In addition to its PBS series and year-round series-based
education and public programs efforts, Art21 has expanded its film production
and educational efforts in recent years. Several new initiatives have been
launched in the past year including New York Close Up, a new documentary
series on Art and Life in New York City, and the premiere of Art21's first
feature film, William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible. Art21 also offers Art21 Educators, an ongoing
professional development program for teachers now entering its fourth year.
Art21 Access '12 events
are presented in partnership with the Arts Business Council, Emerging Leaders
of New York Arts, National Guild for Community Arts Education, and the YMCA. An
updated list of Art21 Access '12 events and venues worldwide can be found at art21.org/access.
# # #
MEDIA
CONTACT
Elise Mannella, 609-672-7455
Photos and other materials are available at: Art21.org/access All Four Episodes, http://vimeo.com/album/1800320, PW: 100artists
