Public Art Documentary Film Series

The public is invited to attend the second season of free screenings of public art-themed documentary films.  The films are presented by the City of Palm Desert Public Art Department and the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center. The screenings will be held at 6 p.m. at UCR Palm Desert, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert.

Thursday, January 21, “The Gates.”  The film chronicles the evolution of artists Christo and Jean-Claude’s project in New York’s Central Park from its concept to realization, as the artists ultimately overcome public disapproval and transform the park into a visual symphony of color and light. The work of art, entirely financed by the artists, attracted more than four million visitors from around the world to Central Park in mid-winter. Following the film, there will be a conversation with Craig Watson, executive director of the Arts Council for Long Beach and participant in Christo and Jean-Claude’s “Running Fence” project.

Thursday, February 18, “Ellsworth Kelly: Fragments.” The film follows the artist Ellsworth Kelly as he revisits the Paris of his early twenties, and uncovers early influences that became leitmotifs that the artist would reiterate, refine and re-work for decades to come. Kelly’s creation of two wall sculptures commissioned for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing provides dramatic thrust while commentary from scholars and critics round out this portrait of one of the giants of American art. Following the film, there will be a discussion with Tyler Stallings, Director of the Sweeney Art Gallery at UCR. 

Thursday, March 18, “Herb & Dorothy.” The film tells the extraordinary story of a postal clerk and a librarian who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history by devoting all of Herb’s salary to purchasing art while living off Dorothy’s pay. They collected artworks guided by two rules:  the piece had to be affordable, and it had to be small enough to fit in their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment. This film will be followed by a conversation with local collectors Karen Prinzmetal and Jim West.

Thursday, April 15, “George Segal:  American Still Life.” 
The film tells the story of one man’s search for a unique way to express himself, and in the process, provides a lively history of American culture in the last half of the 20th century.  George Segal is an internationally acclaimed sculptor, whose trademark life-size plaster casts can be seen in major museums and in public spaces throughout the country.  A conversation with Lisa Soccio, Assistant Professor/Gallery Director at College of the Desert will follow the film.

Film screenings are free, but reservations are required.  To reserve your seat, please call 760-834-0956 or register online. For more information, please call 760-837-1664.