PRESS RELEASES
BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND ALBRIGHT-KNOX ART GALLERY PRESENT A TWO-PART DISCUSSION FORUM AND SCREENING BASED ON PBS Art:21 SERIES -- June 4th & 11th
~ Exploring Storytelling Through Contemporary Visual Art ~
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Buffalo , NY -- The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (B&ECPL) in partnership with the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is presenting a two-part discussion forum and screening based on the PBS Art:21 - Art in the Twenty-First Century series. The programs explore how storytelling has long been an inspiration for visual art and remains a strong element in the work of artists creating today. Both Saturday events are free and open to the public and take place from 3 to 5 pm at the Central Library's Central Meeting Room.
On June 4 th , a screening of three artists' stories will be shown featuring the “Stories” hour from Season Two of Art:21. The artists profiled include Kara Walker , who explores the intersection of race, gender and sexuality through silhouetted figures, Do-Ho Suh , who defies conventional notions of scale and site-specificity through intricate sculptures and Kiki Smith , who conveys the body as a receptacle for knowledge, belief and storytelling through sculptures, drawings and prints. A discussion will be facilitated by Senior Curator at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery Douglas Dreishpoon , Ph.D.
On June 11 th , themes and narratives in art and literature will be examined with the screening of artist Kara Walker's story followed by a facilitated discussion of Walker 's art and Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved . The discussion will be led by University at Buffalo English Professor Hershini Bhana Young , Ph.D.
Art21 is a non-profit contemporary art organization dedicated to introducing a large national, and increasingly international, audience to contemporary visual art and artists working in the United States today. As part of its mission to make contemporary art more accessible, Art21 produces the Emmy-nominated PBS series Art:21--Art in the Twenty-First Century as well as companion books, education materials, and an extensive Web site ( www.pbs.org/art21 ). Season Three of Art”21 will premier this fall on PBS.
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System, comprised of the Central Library, 15 city branches, 36 contract library facilities and outreach services, is dedicated to connecting Erie County's diverse communities with library resources that enrich, enlighten and entertain.
For further information, contact the Office of Community Relations at 858-7182 or visit the Library's website at www.buffalolib.org.