Eva Hesse

Filmmaker Marcie Begleiter revisits the vibrant 1960s NYC art world with this biography of German-American Eva Hesse (1936-1970), who made her name as an acclaimed abstract/experimental artist before dying young. A Hamburg-born German Jew and child refugee who was haunted by the absence of a mentally-ill mother who committed suicide, Eva was determined to excel at art school. Discarding the rules, she created three-dimensional works that combined elements of sculpture and flat renderings. Hesse avoided the trends of pop art, op art, and harsh minimalism to create “plastic art” using polymers, fiberglass, and industrial materials, which won her plaudits in the male-dominated Manhattan gallery realm before a brain tumor took her life. Interviewees here include sculptor (and ex-husband) Tom Doyle and author Gioia Timpanelli. While some viewers may be bewildered by Hesse's tubes, wires, and crinkled sheets, actress Selma Blair's narration (reading the artist's own journals) effectively brings this heroine to life. Also touching on themes of feminism and Judaica in addition to modern art, this biographical portrait is recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)