On Sunday I started to feel ill (seems it was an allergic reaction to wall paint!?!) so I stopped working and watched the latest dvd I had from Netflix: Our City Dreams, a documentary by Chiara Clemente. It features five artists - Swoon, Ghada Amer, Kiki Smith, Marina Abramovic and Nancy Spero - discussing their work as well as when, how and why they came to NYC. It was fascinating and inspiring to see the artists in their studios and hear them talk about what inspires them, their challenges and triumphs. Some highlights for me: Swoon installing her show while discussing the pros and cons of having her work become more widely accepted; Amer's parents sharing their pride on their daughter's success as an artist despite not really understanding her work; observing Smith's calm haste to finish her museum installation and still find time to get ready for the opening; watching Abramovic's footage of early performances; and sharing Spero's intimate 80th birthday celebration with her family. I very much enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
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