The Rich Wild West Of American Art | (Waldemar Januszczak Documentary)

Subscribe and click the bell icon to get more arts content every week:
/ perspectivearts
Series looking at American art. The first episode is set in the Wild West and begins with the sublime art of the Hudson River School, whose 19th-century evocations of the vastness of America did so much to fuel the myth of the promised land. Another huge influence was the mysterious rock art of Native Americans, which set a stirring precedent for non-naturalistic painting. The film culminates in a celebration of Jackson Pollock, born in Cody, Wyoming, who arrived in New York wearing a Stetson and cowboy boots, and whose famous drip paintings were influenced heavily by both the moods of the American west and the example of Native American artists. Presented by Waldemar Januszczak
Perspective is KZbin's home for the arts. Come here to get your fill of great music, theatre, art and much, much more!
From Big Sky, Big Dreams, Big Art: Made in the USA
Content licensed from DRG to Little Dot Studios.
Any queries, please contact us at:
[e-mail]

[@joni1405]

This guy is the best art presenter I've ever seen. He treats it with necessary gravity and seriousness without coming off as pompous

[@78thandSynth]

Perfect. 💥

[@mattcollins4646]

Yup. Absolutely agree.

[@GEM.Official]

Completely agree. I've been watching as many of his films as possible. There's also a delightful playfulness that I adore with him. I hope he continues to make many more

[@jsvenier]

Couldn’t agree more! Spent a lot of hours in Art History class in art school… he is so much better!

[@CalliopeLyric]

Totally agree.

[@RogerHilleboe]

Since recently stumbling upon Januszczak, I’ve been absorbing him in three hour chunks. He conveys much, entertains mightily, never talks down to his audience, and perhaps most refreshingly, never takes himself seriously. His subject yes, himself no.

[@monicawylie3985]

Thank you for speaking of American art with respect and care.

[@ripecolor5496]

These documentaries are so brilliant. Informative, educational and witty. Most of all accessible. Waldemar Januszczak is doing us a great service. I agree Mexico city is a must for anyone in the arts to behold. One visit is not nearly sufficient

[@Remtech7]

It's impossible to interrupt this video for a coffee break once you start watching this guy...it's hilarious!

[@pcatful]

As a life long and native westerner (American West) I concur with Waldemar, what you see is what you want to see. Made up of dreams, and myths, doctrines and rebellion, with a lot of hooey. Just as we like it.

[@user-ke8st8jc1v]

As an American,this whole country is based on this formula ; the people who govern us want us to see and believe what’s not there “ made up dreams and myths ,doctrines “ but not rebellion ,just acceptance.

[@viktoriyarts]

these series are gold!

[@ximenaraffo5429]

Magnificent series, We can watch this all they long, 👏👏👏👏Waldemar is the perfect presentar !!!

[@joshuahiggins2653]

Waldemar, I can't thank you enough. Your perspective and presentation, your incites are truly life changing. I'm always brought to tears by your documentaries. You are a genius.

[@scz1770]

I always say I'm going to go to sleep to a nice doc, and then inevitably I end up going to sleep late because I'm learning so much about art from Waldy

[@SihraCreative]

06:16 is the reason I love Waldermar. What a mesmerising storyteller, teaching us practically every aspect in the most wonderful way.

[@jamesyanushka4715]

Entertaining like no other art presenter I've watched. Love him.

[@infinifi2910]

Brilliant, I loved it. The coverage on Jackson Pollock was much deeper and broader than anything else I've read/watched. Thank you Waldemar Januszczak !

[@MAC-ws8fz]

"much deeper and broader"...go back to third grade finger-painting! You sound like a liberal New York Times columnist!

[@infinifi2910]

​@@MAC-ws8fz What has life done to you to speak so lowly to a total stranger!

[@MAC-ws8fz]

@@infinifi2910 I must have struck a liberal nerve"

[@infinifi2910]

Don’t flatter yourself

[@mrledhead68]

@@infinifi2910 emperor has no clothes....

[@Mukundanghri]

This mate knows more about American history than do most Americans.

[@jilliegirlie]

That's the dumbest thing I've read so far. Waldemar has advanced degrees in Art History, so naturally, he should know more about the art subjects. I don't understand your point other than being arrogant and rude.

[@romsawyer2694]

@@jilliegirlie you must be hurt 😂

[@nunyabidness1852]

@@jilliegirlie I think that's a little harsh. On a side note, if that is truly your picture, you are striking and incredibly beautiful.

[@MellowGibson]

Amazing series of documentaries. I've never been so interested in art.

[@Hoss_Delgado977]

Uhh no the Star Spangled Banner was not originally a drinking song from London - it originated from a poem known as The Defense of Fort McHenry. The drinking song was just the origin of the medley.

[@kateaye3506]

Waldermar, please do a series on Australian art.

[@MAC-ws8fz]

Why, he'd just screw it up too!

[@jadehomemaker6334]

Yes please!

[@joycelstillman]

After 40 years of being an arrogant artist, I am learning things I never imagined from this marvelous series.

[@kristinalewis6126]

waldemar's definition of the reason for art made me cry

[@denegillespie5767]

Another brilliant film from Waldermar. His easygoing, slightly irreverent look at art is fascinating

[@nunyabidness1852]

@@appletongallery hahahahahaha, go sell crazy somewhere else. We're all stocked up here. I can't even imagine the arrogance one must possess to think that they have some deep, secret knowledge to which nobody else is privy.

[@MichaelAbel-hd3ue]

Ive watched every film numerous times..Ken Burns of Art History...the best

[@ferociousgumby]

JACK THE DRIPPER! It was worth watching this just for that.

[@brendarooks1697]

I giggled over that for the rest of the video

[@jimjohngirard]

It's interesting.....at the time of Jackson Pollock's popularity, I was working in Andrew Wyeth's studio. He was interested in Pollock's splatter style and discussed with me, his egg tempera painting called "Raccoon". He said that if you look closely at the painting that is so realistic from a few feet away, and take a cardboard square and crop to small areas of the painting, they all look like Pollock's splatter technique....yet, at the end of the day, the painting is flawless realism using abstraction as it's foundation.....you may find it interesting if you ever get a chance to see the original painting of "Raccoon".

[@thomasjamison2050]

I have always thought that almost any square inch of a Rembrandt would make a wonderful abstract painting.

[@thomasjamison2050]

I suppose I could be clearer. Any square inch blown up to a much larger image

[@garyrunnalls7714]

Wyeth and his family were so talented, Jackson's stuff is rubbish.

[@updosystem]

how exciting to have been there!

[@mrledhead68]

Emperor has no clothes...

[@helpyourcattodrive]

I’ve seen so much art and didn’t know what I was looking at. I’m glad to have found these videos to revisit earlier days in a better way.

[@calvingrondahl1011]

The spiral jetty in the Great Salt Lake. I was the newspaper cartoonist in Ogden, Utah, USA. Love your art documentaries.

[@andrewfrost8866]

Thank you again. You being the history of art to life, and you explain the links and relationships across art. You make the opaqueness of art crystal clear!

[@mariaroqueta3135]

PERSPECTIVE never disappoints!👍

[@jefffriedberg]

Wow I can NOT wait for this to be OVER!!!

[@nunyabidness1852]

So skip to the next video weirdo.

[@cherylhutchins-swenson320]

It's ALWAYS in the 🎭 ART!

[@anthonysapienza1068]

Excellent 👍 👍 Anyone who's seen this series should be eligible for college credit in Art History. Waldemar uses unforgettable stories to teach the art and artists...

[@youcancallmeana]

I love Waldemar, and this is another fine presentation, I just wish he would not have neglected all the people who were already living in those areas doing amazing art way before the European wave hit.

[@thelargervisionoflife8411]

so many gems in this one, thanks so much Waldemar and Perspective

[@badarock177]

Incredible. Very educating and entertaining.

[@Seniman3]

Awesome!!! Keep these documentaries coming. Each is very much appreciated.

[@billnickels6667]

Thank you for this . Interesting. I have chuckled a couple of times and laughed out loud twice to boot!

[@shwemoor]

He is the best at his job as an art historian.

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

whoever came up with ''Jack the dripper '' for Jackson Pollock is a genius

[@sanniepstein4835]

Inspired by linoleum.

[@artlifealways...]

Artlife always i2f the artist...one love...blessings

[@emmahardesty4330]

Always fascinating, informative, fun--big thank you for "Jack the Dripper"--but...the first abstractionist theosophist artist was Hilga af Klint. (Yes, that's how her name is written, and her work is spellbinding.)

[@stephanebelizaire3627]

Great Series , Bravo !

[@SH-eb9hg]

Wonderful - as always. Thank you.

[@Ithaca_Johnson]

He is delightful. "Your heart would go boom-bitty boom-bitty boom."

[@juliettedemaso7588]

Your section on Native art (contrasted with cowboys.. chef’s kiss btw 😏) was the finest piece of critique in your entire body of work. I felt briefly like I was watching Sagan’s Cosmos again; I was transported, and my heart ached. It almost redeems you for your Magdalene episode, for which I still believe you secretly intended to be a drinking game (take a shot every time Waldemar says whooor) But yes, the native segment touched my soul and I’m grateful. From this moment I’m so hoping you will visit the Diego Rivera murals in San Francisc, because my great aunt Helen is featured in them. (She was a record breaking diver and an immigrant from Yugoslavia, along with my grandmother and their parents) On my mother’s side, my great grandfather came over from Naples, and unfortunately fought Pancho Villa in the Mexican Revolution. Grandpa survived, I had him until I was seven.

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting

[@danilogomez5321]

Excelente travesía histórica y artística.

[@brendarooks1697]

Thanks it is great to see you covering American Art. I look forward to all of your videos.

[@michelleguinault-picciotto8180]

Thanks!

[@andrea7753]

The Carl Sagan of Art. I love him.

[@celiasaks3098]

Love those boots Waldi..you look like a true Texan!!

[@annabella2294]

great episode!I enjoyed every minute of it it:thanks,Waldemar.

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

I love this man and his art videos. Such a great voice and intelligence that I have learned about art I have studied, thought I knew all about it.

[@johnbarton1506]

WJ is thoughtful, colourful and plain speaking whose investigation into the meaning of artworks keep me coming back for more. An original thinker.

[@deliafunk9810]

Totally brilliant! Thank you Waldemar

[@nidaljabarin4743]

Thank you so much This is a great thought and concept of art, new information that I do not know them This is very wonderful

[@WillN2Go1]

In the video there's a slight green cast diminishing the redness to Double Negative, Monument Valley and probably Spiral Jetty (I haven't been). (you can see it in Januszczak's black clothing.) What I noticed at Monument Valley is as you approach the area you notice how intense the red in the sandstone is, but by the time you get to the overlook and see Shiprock and the other buttes, that red is muted - but then I looked back at my white Honda and it looked greenish. So a bit of over correcting going on. Film will capture it straight - because film doesn't compensate like our eyes or video. All in all though I love these videos. Januszczak does a terrific service to art and humanity. Footnote: I delivered the biggest rock in one of Michael Heizer's Displaced/Replaced Mass (1969/1977) from Ace Gallery to the collector's house (Yawl St, Marina del Rey). Drove it down Speedway in Venice and Marina del Rey with a large forklift. the forklift wasn't large enough though, so I dragged the bottom of the boulder along the asphalt leaving a mark that lasted until it was resurfaced years later. If I ever took a photo of my own Heizer inspired earth art (1984) I don't know where it is.

[@RBartsy]

More, please. First we learn ‘em W-I-N-D-ER , then we goes out an does ‘em. Fantastic series! Some things I’ve seen & some not in my life travels but seeing everything again for the first time is wonderful!

[@griviljava]

Waldemar what an excellent analysis of Jackson Pollack! I really appreciate this

[@higgsmerino3925]

But so many of his facts are all wrong. Bullshit myth promulgation.

[@kristinamullen4066]

I loved this.I always liked Jackson Pollock but never knew much about where he came from or that he was a model for Benton.I enjoyed watching you create your own drip painting as well.I will be watching more of your content.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Where waldemar goes, I go. Best show and information.

[@Bingewatchingmediacontent]

Hilma af Klimt was a theosophist too. She preceded the American abstract expressionism movement. I never realized that the American abstract expressionists were also theosophists. I’ve taken many art history classes and never knew about this! It really explains so much!

[@juanjomarinero3990]

Life would be greater if good art videos had LESS ads on them.

[@richardedward123]

Benton's use of light is extraordinary.

[@kimkramer5737]

Thank you for making these films, I love them.! What a way to pass the covid Times. Oh how I loved art history as a student.

[@judyjudy51]

Best. Art. Docos. Ever.

[@frankholland9098]

wow!

[@elation0x]

This is great

[@onlibertyjm]

Thanks

[@Johnnypaintsslabcity]

Very informative , no ads with KZbin premium .

[@literato182]

My favorite so far!

[@rickeeeddleman5614]

Really good presentation into the "how it all came about" into the world of abstract expressionism.

[@michaelmichael715]

Easy to relate and listen to to,brilliant as always erudite

[@bricksloth6920]

Yay! New Waldemar vid

[@kateaye3506]

I was ready to press stop til I realised it was Artwaldy. Anything with Artwaldy is a must see.

[@jefffriedberg]

Here in New Mexico I can walk right up to the petroglyphs and see them from mere inches away, no barriers. There are hundreds of them. To me what they seem to say is, “Hello! I was here!” But those wall paintings Walder showed…they are fierce, and do seem to speak of other worlds.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*IN A FREAKY COINCIDENCE* I just messaged my friend in Utah that I am watching Sego Canyon Utah... "HOW" she screamed? "On my computer" - save the repetition of a 15 minute back and forth... She was DRIVING THROUGH SEGO CANYON at the moment I messaged her - 2.3 miles from the Roc art....

[@nebbindog6126]

Appreciate the spotlight on the amazing compositions of Benton, a long time favorite. Had not known of close association to Pollock, who fills wall space too, but, with self-centered statements . Not surprising the socialites approved.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

I love that a lot of the artists were free spirits … and broke and wild and free.

[@lecolintube]

Thank you Waldemar, that was breath takingly beautiful & insightfully knowledgeable.

[@jhb61249]

Mr. Waldemar, you have your thoughts, ideas, and prejudices: and you express them well. If you check out the comments, you will see everyone else does just as well. Few agree totally or perfectly. But it's all interesting. For me, an American, it's always good to revisit some of America's artistic output- good, bad, or otherwise. Thanks. I hope you enjoyed your visit "bumbing around" in the USA!

[@jamesallison4875]

I enjoy your work so much. Thank you.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Perfect.

[@micmoniker6449]

Nicely done man... great storytelling🍻

[@paulmitford5189]

My son ate a packet of blueberries and a bowl of warm semolina for lunch, after we saw Blue Poles at the Canberra Art Gallery. The next morning he cried out 'Hey Dad, I've just created a Jackson Pollock in the dunny".

[@susanmercurio1060]

Love your cowboy boots, Waldemar!

[@warfivevy0ne454]

Masterpiece Presentation

[@lindainglis8506]

God bless America.

[@kurts4867]

Wow...so cool you talked about THB. He is a big deal....thank you for talking about him....

[@waxeye6488]

I hope you kept your Pollock Waldemar, it's brilliant! re comments below It's amazing people haven't heard of adblock!

[@kristinalewis1924]

brilliant if everyone watched there would be an ah ha moment in understanding artists and art

[@auntieclara1811]

Awesome.. All it needs is a few more ads every 2 minutes.

[@coraliesturn3672]

I don't know if you'll see this comment but I wanted to thank your for your videos!!

[@starnejme6902]

Yeah!!

[@TomFynn]

"Country Music Hall of Fame" and "marvelous" are two phrases I would not expect to find in the same sentence...

[@robertgiles9124]

Thomas Moran (February 12, 1837 - August 25, 1926) That 10 Grand he got for the painting would have bought ten very nice houses at the time.

[@sarjandhakal6492]

Your presentation is mind blowing

[@mannyespinola]

Thank you for this video

[@KeithCarlson]

He's an excellent critic with a unique eye who also obviously does his research. My only true criticism -- and rightly gives short shrift -- is not exploring the women artists who were so central to the early days of American Modernism: O'Keeffe is just one. And I'm certain there were artists of color worth exploring.

[@Celestein]

I agree, it is a wonderful documentary but I also kept waiting to see O'Keeffe's New Mexico landscapes to appear. She would have been a perfect fit.

[@cruisepaige]

We have been so marginalized. When I was studying Art History in college in the 80’s, the only female artists in the entire Jansen “Art Bible” were O’Keefe and Grandma Moses!

[@JanetCaterina]

It's a very abbreviated history

[@jamesvinch2484]

A very explanatory way,of guiding us viewers into an unexplainable view. I just Confused myself, 🧐...ty connie

[@sanniepstein4835]

One of the great western artists not recognized by the official art world is Will James. His human figures aren't much, but his horses are alive and unsugared as few others. His books, too, describe real western life, which had few gunfights.

[@kokolanza7543]

Thank you Sanni Epstein for mentioning this. As a child I stayed at my Grandmother's, in my father's and uncle's room, with their childhood books. Among them was Smoky by Will James. I had long ago forgotten.

[@markabicht7083]

Lots and lots of ads. But they are set perfectly (almost) to create cliffhangers to the documentary.

[@kevinking7991]

On PC? Get adblock and they're gone..

[@dacsurlap]

너무 좋네요!!good!!!!

[@arthurkuper245]

Excellent, as always. One minor error Krishnamurti, was not a Theosophist, at least at the time he was in California. He had been discovered by the Theosophists as a youngster and said to be an avatar of enlightenment but he rejected the whole thing and all the hooha, becoming an independent and very straight forward spiritual teacher of his own vision.