Steve Martin Narrates Hopper Video
July Release for Microcinema International DVD
By: Charles Giuliano - May 24, 2007
Edward Hopper
Narrated by Steve Martin. Produced, written and directed by Carroll Moore. A National Gallery of Art Film. Vintage interview footage with the artist. Additional interviews with Museum of Fine Arts curator, Carol Troyen, and Judith Barter, curator, the Art Institute of Chicago as well as the artists Red Grooms and Eric Fischl. Produced by Microcinema International. Thirty minutes. $19.99 http://www.microcinema.com
Edward Hopper is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it debuts May 6 through August 19, 2007; the National Gallery of Art, Washington, where it will be on view September 16, 2007 through January 21, 2008; and The Art Institute of Chicago, where it will be seen February 16 through May 11, 2008.
This brief, thirty minute video, narrated by the actor/ collector, Steve Martin, has been produced by the National Gallery to accompany the three venue exhibition which opened recently at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The enigma of Edward Hopper (1882-1967) the most respected and loved artist of his generation is presented here in an abbreviated overview which clearly presents the basic facts and images but stands clear of engaging the many conundrums that make the work so puzzling yet fascinating.
For the general public this is a suitable introduction as it presents a well crafted overview of the work, with technically well shot pans of the essential images, and just enough of a biographical sketch to make one want to probe more deeply into the work. The video, presented by the museums that are showing the work, is intended to promote a popular and successful exhibition focused on an American master, rather than bring new insights or scholarship to his accomplishments.
The sequences with the curators, Carol Troyen, of the Museum of Fine Arts, and Judith Barter, of the Art Institute of Chicago, are accurate and well mannered but bland. Even the artists for this project, Red Grooms, Eric Fischl, and art historian Avis Berman, exude little passion for the artist and the work. The story is well told but we don't feel that there are compelling and unique insights in this work which comes off more as in house marketing than a documentary on the life and work of the artist.
Still the video would prove useful in the classroom to provide a wide access to the images and essential ideas of the work. But it would be up to a gifted teacher or professor to lead a class in a more probing discussion of the issues touched upon in the video. Hopper was an edgy and provocative artist but there is relatively little risk taking in the manner in which he is presented here.
What is surprising and disappointing is that the project did not take full advantage of the star power of Steve Martin. He does a perfectly fine job of narrating the script that has been presented to him. But Martin the collector sold a Hopper from his collection for a record price and another work is included in the exhibition. It would have helped to put Martin in front of the camera to discuss his interest and commitment to the artist. Instead we just hear the voice and none of it in his own words. Pity.