Product Details

• Actors: New York Art Scene, 1940-1970
• Directors: Emile de Antonio
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: NEW VIDEO GROUP
• DVD Release Date: January 26, 2010
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002ZMZBIM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,884 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Painters Painting" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

PAINTERS PAINTING is a vibrant collective portrait of the legendary figures who powered the tumultuous post-war New York art scene. Immediate and irreverent, the film

has the feeling of an intimate conversation. De Antonio shows artists (and their critics and patrons) gossiping, drinking and talking about life and art, and in the

process illuminates the genesis of Abstract Expressionism. Footage of the Metropolitan Museum of Art s landmark exhibition New York Painting and Sculpture 1940-1970

supplements the film. An invaluable resource for anyone interested in contemporary art, PAINTERS PAINTING brilliantly captures a turning point in American art and

culture.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 87 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than digging up a timecapsule January 20, 2001

By John B. Woodward III

Format:VHS Tape

The Abstract Expressionists have been cannonized and mythologized to such an extent by popular culture, that the reality of the most important American Art Movement is difficult to experience from the recent books and treatises on the subject. Painters Painting, itself an important art work by film-maker Emile de Antonio, propels us back into that existentialist time in such a complete and satisfying way, that we finish feeling like we just had dinner ourselves with all the suspects of the time at the Cedar Tavern . We discover even the notorious critic Hilton Kramer has a face. From deKooning to Warhol, the musings of the artists include Frankenthaler, Hoffman, Motherwell, Barnett Newman (my personal favorite in this film: "I believe that art theory is to me as an artist what ornithology must be for the birds"), Johns, Rauschenberg, Noland, Olitsky, Pavia, Poons, and Frank Stella. Interviews include the controversial Clement Greenberg at his best. As you can tell from the artist list, the film begins with Abstract Expressionism, winds its way through Hard-Edge and Color Field painting, before it finishes with the Grande Dame of the New York Art Scene of the 60's, Andy Warhol. This is a documentary not to be missed.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So Damn Good--Needs to Be Re-Released So That More Will Have Access August 2, 2005

By Play It By Ear

Format:VHS Tape

I cannot believe that this documentary is so hard to find. I never thought I would be able to find a copy in my lifetime. One appeared about a month ago at a reasonable price and I cannot believe my luck in picking up a copy. Remarkable 116 minute documentary by Emile de Antonio. The artists that appear in this film are very relaxed and forthcoming. There is no dumbing down here but it is not esoteric either. Unique product. My copy is well worn so I will have to copy it to my computer and make a DVD or VCD copy because eventually all VHS degrades further until it dies. This is required viewing for anyone who is crazy enough to have painting on his mind every day of his life like I do.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally May 26, 2009

By S. Ginsburg

Format:DVD

This is an important document! And, it is finally available on DVD. Many of the artists that speak for themselves are now dead, so it gives us a chance see them in their studios again. And, it shows the Abstract Expressionists, Pop artists as well as the abstract artists of the 60's such as Stella, Noland and Poons.