Mark Kostabi: Jedermann (movie trailer) - ART/new york no. 63

Mark Kosabi -- Jedermann is the most recent release from ART/new york, a documentary series on Contemporary Art. Produced and directed by Paul TschinkeI, it is program No. 64 in a long list of documentaries on art and artists. Begun in 1979, the series has filmed many of the artists working and exhibiting in New York over the past 30 years, including Chuck Close, Alice Neel, Louise Bourgeois, Cindy Sherman, Kiki Smith, Barbara Kruger, Nan Goldin, Laurie Anderson, Nam June Paik, and many others.

Mark Kostabi, along with Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kenny Scharf and others, emerged in the 1980's as a member of a group of East Village artists who set out to redefine the role of the artist and art. Like Haring's 'Crawling Baby' and Koons' 'Puppy', Kostabi's iconography includes the archetypal "Everyman' figure - an androgynous, faceless, universal person that communicates easily and speaks directly with the public. Kostabi's figures, which are still the basis of his art today, embody themes of dislocation that reflect loneliness and alienation in a complex world that is overwhelmed by media and technology.

Jedermann traces this artist's prolific and circuitous development. Over the past 25 years, since his first appearance on the NY art scene, ART/new york has recorded Kostabi's activities as an artist. Included is a painting sequence from 1986 in which the artist paints a 20 ft. version of Leonardo's Last Supper in his Tribeca studio, a 30 ft. stencil painting on the rooftop of his Midtown studio in 1987, a 1996 visit to his SOHO 'Kostabi World' and footage from his TV show 'Title This' in SOHO in 2002. Also seen are exhibitions at the East Village and SOHO Semaphore Galleries, the Ronald Feldman Gallery in SOHO and the Adam Baumgold Gallery on 79th Street.

Interviews are with his first art dealer, MOLLY BARNES, critic and author, GLENN O'BRIEN, critic and editor of PAPER MAGAZINE, CARLO Mc CORMICK, and art dealer ADAM BAUMGOLD. Also included are interviews with MARK KOSTABI that were conducted over a span of 25 years.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• paul
• tschinkel
• art
• new
• york
• ny
• nyc
• inner-tube
• video
• mark
• kostabi
• jedermann

[thurstonroyce]

Loved it. Mark is really a genius, and his work is gaining a larger audience with each passing day. Many people don't think about the fact that he is still a very young man, and many other great artists did not achieve his level of success until they were at least 20 years older. His artwork is very collectible and still fairly priced, and it will pay big dividends ten years from now.

[poezthepoet]

It's nice to see attention and respect paid to Mark Kostabi. But the discussion remains cautious and frosty. If Mark Kostabi were merely smart and interesting, why would he rate a full-length film? He would be just one more popular art school instructor. These people seem reluctant to confront the question of whether he is genuinely visionary - caught between offending him, or the Establishment they serve. Meanwhile, his visual and musical ideas (largely overlooked here) are captivating.

[kathyexploding]

Great trailer, looks intriguing and well-done!

[Shaggyweed]

i love it!

[toddsiler1]

Mark & Paul, congrats on this adventurous fine arts documentary. I'm sure it'll engage open minds rather than enrage the incurious. As ever, your work inspires fresh thoughts. Best wishes for your continued success!

Todd

[dianahf]

OK - where do I get a copy - I'm always fascinated by your incredible marketing ability let alone your artistic talent. Well,you know I love your art!! Hugs always, diana

[RecordMogul]

I actually forgot I was seeing a trailer for the full length film. Just in these 4 odd minutes, we get a succinct representation of Mark and his art. This mere snippet from the main event contains a fascinating 1985 clip of Mark looking fresh out of prep school (sic) with the world at/under his feet. As I only met Mark for the first time face to face in 1989, this was the young Turk Kostabi before he obtained mastery of "working the room".

[Skene63]

Another fabulous one Paul. Thanks.