California Art History: Videos

California Art History

with an emphasis on representational art

(above: Charles Reiffel, Summer Session at Ballast Point, San Diego, 1930, Vallejo Gallery. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons*)

Videos

Impressions of California: Currents in Art 1850-1930. The Irvine Museum collaborated in the filming of this KOCE public television documentary video, produced by Paul Bockhorst, consisting of four 1/2 hour television programs totaling 112 minutes. Available through the Irvine Museum. The Wildling Museum says: "This landmark public television series, produced by KOCE TV Foundation in 1996, documents the story of California art from statehood in 1850 to the beginning of the Depression in 1930. The narration, illustrated by original works of art from many California museums, features interviews with respected art historians, Bill Gerdts, Wanda Corn, Harvey Jones, and Jean Stern among others. Each program lasts 28 minutes.

Part I: Awakening in the North traces the development of art communities in San Francisco and Monterey.

Part II: The Rise of Impressionism in Southern California reviews the coloristic explorations of the "plein air" painters of the early 20th century.

Part III: Early Art in Laguna Beach and San Diego describes the art colonies in these two southern California coastal cities and the unique brand of impressionism practiced by artists William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Anna Hills, Joseph Kleitsch, Maurice Braun and others.

Part IV: Beyond Impressionism, documents the more subjective and expressive styles of "progressive" artists throughout the State who were influenced by Post-Impressionism in the first decades of the 20th century: The Society of the Six in Oakland, Maynard Dixon in SF, Henrietta Shore and Donna Schuster in Los Angeles, among many."

(above: Franz Arthur Bischoff, Vase with cover with pink and white roses and scroll work, porcelain w/raised enamel and gilt, 15.75 inches, Artnet. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons*)

Roots of California Photography: the Monterey Legacy, The is a 56-minute DVD. Ventana Productions says the film "chronicles the important photographic heritage of this region and pays tribute to some of the most important men and women in American photography, masters whose creative and technical visions changed the way the world views photographic art. Photographers included are Ansel Adams, Edward, Brett and Cole Weston, Wynn and Edna Bullock, Morley Baer, Henry Gilpin, Richard Garrod, Al Weber, Sonya Noskowiak, Margrethe Mather, and John Sexton, among others." The film was narrated by Jack Lemmon and produced by the Monterey Museum of Art and The University of California, Santa Cruz Extension, Art & Design Department, The script was written by Steve Hauk and the film was directed by Steven Rosen and Terri De Bono of Mac and Ava Motion Pictures. The Wildling Museum says:"This is a 56 minute documentary, produced by the Monterey Museum of Art in association with the University of California, Santa Cruz, about the inspiring photographers who made Monterey their home: Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, and Margrethe Mather among others."

Time Captured in Paintings: The Monterey Legacy tells the story of Monterey's art colony, including artists Armin Hansen, E. Charlton Fortune, Henrietta Shore, William Ritschel, Gottardo Piazzoni, Xavier Martinez, and others. Jack Lemmon narrates this 28 minute 1991 presentation produced by the Monterey Museum of Art, writen by Steve Hauk and directed by Steve Rosen and Terri DeBono. From the arrival of French painter Gaspard Duche de Vancy in 1786, to the thriving creative community of today, this video demonstrates the wide variety of art inspired by the region. ASIN: B000H6JFCG

Visions of California: The Story of California Scene Painting, produced by Paul Bockhorst for KOCE Public Television in collaboration with The Irvine Museum, is the 1994 story of California Scene Painting 1925-1950. Bockhorst, working with scores of collectors and dozens of institutions and museums nationwide, has created a three-part series of artistic delight and intellectual insight that features almost 150 works of art. Each part is 28 minutes in length with a total viewing time of 84 minutes. Available through the Irvine Museum.

Visiting...With Huell Howser #1505 - DIORAMA is a 28 minute DVD/VHS video in which "Huell visits the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to discover the history of its famous animal dioramas... A visit with Robert Reid who has been the resident artist for 20 years at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum and the man responsible for creating all of the beautiful dioramas. From deserts to beaches, Robert captures the natural beauty with his paint brushes. Robert works closely with Tim Bovard who is the Taxidermist and the man responsible for making all those animals look so lifelike. Together, they make a unique team." Text courtesy of Huell Howser Productions.

Visiting...With Huell Howser #726 - GARDENA ART is a 28 minute 1999 video by Huell Howser Productions. "Beginning in 1919, the graduating classes of Gardena High School bestowed gifts of paintings upon their beloved school. This program lasted until 1956, and amassed more than 90 works. Soon after the program ended, many of the paintings were stored away and forgotten about. Along with several Gardena High School Alumni, Huell visits the Irvine Museum to see an exhibit of 31 fully-restored paintings from this important collection." Text courtesy of Huell Howser Productions.

Visiting...With Huell Howser #1005 - MOSAICS is a 28 minute 2002 video by Huell Howser Productions. "You've seen his work all across the Southland. Meet Denis O'Connor master mosaic artist, who has created some of the largest and most amazing mosaics in America." Text courtesy of Huell Howser Productions.

Visiting...With Huell Howser #738 - MURALS is a 28 minute video by Huell Howser Productions. "Huell visits a local elementary school to join a group of 5th graders on a field trip to some of LA's many murals. Along for the ride is the artists himself to discuss his art with the children. All in all it's a great LA day!" Text courtesy of Huell Howser Productions.

Visiting...With Huell Howser #911 - PANORAMA is a 28 minute 2007 video by Huell Howser Productions. "Sara Velas is an artist with one passion--panoramas. On a drive through Hollywood, Velas looked past the round, kitschy, South Pacific design of the building at 5553 Hollywood Boulevard, and saw the perfect rotunda for a panorama. Velas shares her knowledge of this popular Victorian art form with Huell, as well as her inspired painting of the Los Angeles basin housed inside the Tswuun Tswuun Rotunda." Text courtesy of Huell Howser Productions.

Visiting...With Huell Howser #109 - WATTS TOUR is a 28 minute video by Huell Howser Productions. "Ride with members of the Los Angeles Conservancy on the Blue Line to the Watts Towers where they are met by young docents who conduct an inspiring tour of the Watts Towers Art Center." Text courtesy of Huell Howser Productions.

For videos on individual artists see: Pacific Coast Painting: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington: 19th-21st Century

(above: Franz Arthur Bischoff, Delivering the catch, San Pedro, oil on canvas, 20 x 24 inches. Artnet. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons*)

(above: Alson S. Clark (1876-1949), Reflection, 1922. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons*)

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