Monday, May 7, 2012

ART21 viewing

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.

Episode 2: Boundaries
This episode presents artists who synthesize disparate aesthetic traditions, present taboo subject matter, discover innovative uses of media, and explore the shape-shifting potential of the human figure. David Altmejd, assume vivid astro focus, Lynda Benglis, and Tabaimo 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.
art21.org; Find Art21 on Facebook and Twitter.
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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

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