Art:21 - Art in the 21st Century: Season 5

Might a work of art move us to temper our more destructive impulses? In what ways do artists’ feelings of empathy contribute to works that tackle problematic subjects and address the human condition? The "Art in the Twenty-First Century" documentary “Compassion” explores these questions in the work of the artists William Kentridge, Doris Salcedo, and Carrie Mae Weems.

How might desires and taboos shape our ability to imagine? What role does technology play in wish fulfillment? The "Art in the Twenty-First Century" documentary “Fantasy” explores these questions in the work of the artists Jeff Koons, Mary Heilmann, Florian Maier-Aichen, and Cao Fei.

Costumes and masks, makeup and style, dolls & mannequins, stage and cinema—what strategies do we use to refashion identity? Do we seek out excess and extremes in order to see ourselves more clearly? The "Art in the Twenty-First Century" documentary “Transformation” explores these questions in the work of the artists Yinka Shonibare MBE, Cindy Sherman, and Paul McCarthy.

What new grammars and logics do artists invent in today’s supercharged, information-based society? Why do we find comfort in some systems while rebelling against others? The "Art in the Twenty-First Century" documentary “Systems” explores these questions in the work of the artists Julie Mehretu, John Baldessari, Kimsooja, and Allan McCollum.