About this season
The first series on television in the U.S. to focus exclusively on contemporary visual art and artists, "Art in the Twenty-First Century" is a Peabody Award-winning biennial program that allows viewers to observe the artists at work, watch as they transform inspiration into art, and hear how they struggle with both the physical and visual challenges of achieving their visions. "Art in the Twenty-First Century" airs on PBS and online in the U.S. Full episodes are available to watch on Art21.org and YouTube.
Episodes (4)
1. Change
Aired 13 April 2012 • 60 min
The Season 6 premiere focuses on Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, Ghanian sculptor El Anatsui and American photographer Catherine Opie, whose works often share thematic similarities, including a focus on transformation.
2. Boundaries
Aired 20 April 2012 • 60 min
Examining the works of sculptor David Altmejd, Japanese animation artist Tabaimo and avante-garde sculptor Lynda Benglis, which explore the shape-shifting potential of the human figure through taboo subjects and the innovative use of media.
3. History
Aired 27 April 2012 • 60 min
Glenn Ligon, Mary Reid Kelley and Marina Abramovic, whose works examine historic events and often challenge assumptions about them, are profiled.
4. Balance
Aired 4 May 2012 • 60 min
The Season 6 finale focuses on oil painter Rackstraw Downes, minimalist painter Robert Mangold and sculptor Sarah Sze. Their works explore the space that lies between art and existence, the seeing and the knowing.