Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements (2005)

Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements (2005) poster

Joel Shapiro, the eminent sculptor, was invited by the Musée d'Orsay in Paris to participate in their project series titled Correspondences, the aim of which was to achieve new insights into the complexity of art through confronting some of the museum's masterpieces with ambitious contemporary works. Shapiro chose to juxtapose Jean Baptiste Carpeaux's La Danse, a large-scale manifestation of human sensuality which once adorned the exterior of the Paris Opera. The camera follows the assembly of 20 boldly colored wooden elements, a shining example of Shapiro's brilliant use of joinery, as the artist and two assistants work on putting the sculpture together and placing it in just the right spot in relation to La Danse. The film represents a unique opportunity to meet the artist and experience a rare art historical event as historians and curators question him on the issues of this daring engagement with Carpeaux.

Director: Michael Blackwood
Runtime: 58 min
Release Date:

Cast

Language: English
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Michael Blackwood

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements about?
Joel Shapiro, the eminent sculptor, was invited by the Musée d'Orsay in Paris to participate in their project series titled Correspondences, the aim of which was to achieve new insights into the complexity of art through confronting some of the museum's masterpieces with ambitious contemporary works. Shapiro chose to juxtapose Jean Baptiste Carpeaux's La Danse, a large-scale manifestation of human sensuality which once adorned the exterior of the Paris Opera. The camera follows the assembly of 20 boldly colored wooden elements, a shining example of Shapiro's brilliant use of joinery, as the artist and two assistants work on putting the sculpture together and placing it in just the right spot in relation to La Danse. The film represents a unique opportunity to meet the artist and experience a rare art historical event as historians and curators question him on the issues of this daring engagement with Carpeaux.
Who directed Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements?
Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements was directed by Michael Blackwood.
Who stars in Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements?
Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements stars Joel Shapiro.
How long is Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements?
Joel Shapiro: 20 Elements has a runtime of 58m (58 minutes).