Cubism & Non-Objective Art And Surrealism; Fauvism & Expressionism

Using a still-frame transferred to video format, these two productions attempt to give an overview and insight into their respective subjects, under the guidance of art educator Jean Thompson, but end up being both terminally boring and rather skewed. Each tape contains two programs: in Cubism & Non-Objective Art, the guiding principles of "cubism" are explained, and the work of its primary proponents (Picasso, Braque, Gris, etc.) explored. From the collage techniques of the cubist, the further abandonment of form is examined in the works of Kandinsky, Duchamp, Mondrian, and the distortion of subject matter in the surrealist paintings of Miro, Dali, and Magritte. In Fauvism & Expressionism, the minor movement of the "fauves," whose work was characterized by bright colors, strong brush strokes, rapid execution, and the swiftness with which the leading artists abandoned the movement to trade up to competing styles, is primarily embodied by Matisse, and a host of lesser artists. And the section on "expressionism," while offering a strong cross-section of the multinational group of artists which spearheaded this movement--Munch, Beckman, Kirchner, Kokoschka, etc.--cites the political overtures which are embodied in the works without ever saying exactly what these are. Much of the instructional commentary here is self-evident, and the depth which the makers of the film have gone to can be seen in the fact that, regardless of the movement, the same paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, and even Bosch, for Hieronymous' sake, are trotted out as a departure point. What can you say about an introductory art tape that feels the need to point up the differences between the hyperrealism of David and Ingres and the modern art movements? One could have taken this line from a Donovan tune: "First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is...," and achieved the same result with better background music to boot. Libraries interested in introductory level programming which takes a lively look at modern art would do well to consider PBS Video's The Shock of the New. These titles are not recommended. (Available from: Crystal Productions, 1812 Johns Dr., P.O. Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025.)