Art
Playful, Poetic Approaches to Decolonizing the Museum
At this critical juncture, Maria Hupfield’s work is a much needed disruption, to hold institutions accountable and in doing so help them stay relevant.
Review
Books
Peeling Back the Messy and Myriad Layers of Tutankhamun’s Discovery
Thorough and rewarding, Christina Riggs’s Photographing Tutankhamun illuminates the reasons behind our fascination with one of Ancient Egypt’s most famous tombs.
Film
Revisiting the Surreal Films of Juraj Herz, a Pioneer of Czech Horror
On the anniversary of his passing, Herz’s films remain the gold standard of what horror cinema can achieve.
Books
Shahidul Alam’s Firsthand Account of Bangladesh’s Fight for Democracy
The Tide Will Turn centers on the 100 days the esteemed photographer spent in prison for protesting Bangladesh’s religious, nationalist government, but also wisely focuses on the conditions that made his arrest inevitable.
Film
Films About Bosch and Hockney Among OVID’s New Additions in April 2020
The streaming platform has added new documentaries about artists, joining its existing collection of films on Pina Bausch, Roy DeCarava, and others.
Art
Derek Fordjour Considers the Precariousness of Shelter
As many grapple with the tension between confinement and the privilege of security, Fordjour’s artworks offer opportunities for relief from, and for contemplation of the uncertainty that lies beyond.
Film
A History of the Film Industry's Fascination With Color
From early tinting to modern film stock, the ERC FilmColors project overviews the craftsmanship that has historically gone into color filmmaking.
Music
In a Time of Crisis, the Beat Goes On
Some people turn to relaxing music in a crisis. Others need chaos to drown out everything else. I need both, preferably at the same time.
Books
Jonas Mekas's Diary Reveals His Uncertain Sense of Self
This first volume of the filmmaker's journals charts his progress from immigrant life in Williamsburg to the center of the American avant-garde.
Art
Tyler Mitchell, a Rising Star of Photography, Steps Into His Own
With I Can Make You Feel Good, Mitchell goes beyond his commercial photography to revisit his roots, documenting Black youths enjoying simple pleasures.
Books
Ana Mendieta, a Feminist Pioneer, in a New Light
In Radical Virtuosity, Genevieve Hyacinthe brilliantly reframes Mendieta’s celebrated works, yet for a book so rooted in race, the final analysis feels only half-full.
Art
What Does It Mean to Exhibit “Black Excellence”?
Two shows in New York City take profoundly different approaches to the idea, but are worth comparing for how they represent being Black and talented or accomplished.