Inspired by John Berger’s 1972 art documentary series Ways of Seeing, this film group will critically explore documentaries about the visual arts. We explore films on artists, museum exhibitions, and various other creative processes.

This group will discuss films that explore the idea of “genius” and creativity in many different forms. This year’s program begins with Art and Craft (2014), a documentary that questions authenticity and the blurred lines between talent and imitation. With this critical framing of genius, we will explore several different artists and artworks spanning a wide range of media, time periods, and styles, including painting, photography, installation, and performance.

We will jump back and forth between playful and more serious explorations of artistic genius, showcasing both familiar and new artists through interesting and compelling documentaries. We will take a peek into the processes and works of artists as diverse as Bill Cunningham, Keith Haring, Hieronymus Bosch, Postcommodity, Pina Bausch, and Werner Herzog. Following the threads of obsession and artistic vision, the group will discuss how documentaries help us understand the creative process, and hopefully inspire us to examine our own practices in artmaking and art appreciation.

Suggested readings, additional books or films, and any notes will be emailed prior to each month’s meeting reminder. We encourage group members to take notes while watching the assigned films.

This group meets in the Art Room on the mezzanine on the fourth Sunday of the month from 12–1:30pm. There will be no meeting in December. The group will meet on the first Sunday in April instead of the last Sunday in March due to Easter.

Members will watch each assigned film independently in advance of each meeting. Please note there will be a viewing assignment before the first session. Films will be available through streaming, borrowing, renting, or purchase; see “Access to Films” for details.

Sun, September 27
Sam Cullman, Art and Craft, 2014. 1h 29m.
Streaming Option

Sun, October 25
Richard Press, Bill Cunningham New York, 2010. 1h 24m.
Streaming Option
Elizabeth Aubert, Drawing the Line – A Portrait of Keith Haring, 1989. 28m.
Streaming Option

Sun, November 22
Luca Viotto, Florence and the Uffizi Gallery, 2015. 1h 37m.
Streaming Option
Christine Turner, Paint and Pitchfork, 2023. 10m.
Streaming Option

No meeting in December

Sun, January 24
Pieter Van Hutstee, Hieronymus Bosch: Touched by the Devil, 2016. 1h 29m.
Streaming Option

Sun, February 28
Sam Wainwright Douglas, Through the Repellent Fence, 2018. 1h 18m.
Streaming Option

Sun, April 4 *Note the group meets on the first Sunday in April due to Easter Sunday in March*
Chantal Akerman, One Day Pina Asked…, 2013. 57m.
Streaming Option

Sun, April 25
Les Blank, Burden of Dreams, 1982. 96m.
Streaming Option; Also available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime

Sun, May 23
Neil Berkeley, Beauty Is Embarrassing, 2012. 1h 27m.
Streaming Option

Every film in the schedule should be readily accessible to any member with access to hoopla, an on-demand video streaming service available with your Athenæum membership. Athenæum staff can advise you on how to access hoopla through your membership. As with any streaming service, hoopla sometimes makes a film available for a set period of time, and then withdraws it when they offer other films in rotation. As of this writing, hoopla is offering all corresponding films, however, if these films are not available during the month they have been scheduled for discussion, every effort will be made to ensure these are available via DVD.

Streaming caveat: you may find (on YouTube and elsewhere) other versions of these films. Be wary of “bootleg” copies that may have been reproduced without authorization. Further, be aware that unauthorized copies may have viruses or other malware. A “free” viewing may end up being very expensive if your computer or phone gets hacked as a result.

If you prefer to watch using DVDs, there are several options. Films may be available on DVD for borrowing from the Athenæum, the RISD Library, or both. Your local public library may also have some of the films in their collections. These are good options, but with demand from many Film Club members at the same time, you may not be able to watch the film when you prefer.

Marianne Williams is the Humanities Librarian at Bates College, where she conducts and supports research on art history, museum studies, and creativity across the humanities. Williams has been a member of the Providence Athenæum since 2020. Her goal for your participation in this reading group is to give you new insights into art-making and creative processes, and hopefully introduce you to the rich offerings of hoopla through your Athenæum membership.