Diana Thater produces ambient abstractions of time
Diana Thater makes video installations that poetically grapple with threats to the natural world.
Adopting cyclical time signatures and extended durations, Thater’s ambient works diverge from the linear narratives humans use to make sense of themselves and the cosmos.
“Abstraction in art is the abstraction of the figurative,” said the artist in our “Los Angeles” episode.
“But abstraction in film and video is the abstraction of time.”
Deepen your connection to Art21
Twelve artists who engage with environmental concerns
Maya Lin in her New York studio, 2012. Production still from the Extended Play film, “Maya Lin: Disappearing Bodies of Water.” © Art21, Inc. 2013.
Artists in many ways embrace a role as purveyors of knowledge, creating works that challenge viewers to recognize, investigate, and appreciate their surroundings.
The twelve artists in our The World Is Yours playlist engage with environmental concerns to uncover opportunities to see the world through a new lens. From tracking natural phenomena to evaluating the impact of personal consumption, these artists position their work as jumping off points to reflect on our entanglement in these networks and society at large.
New educator resources for digital films
Developed to accompany films from our Extended Play and New York Close Up series, this special collection of Educators’ Guides are available individually, by featured artist, as free downloadable resources.
Our latest guides feature artists Diana Al-Hadid, Jordan Casteel, Abigail DeVille, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and Jack Whitten.
Art21 Educators’ Guides are designed to be used as a resource in the classroom before, during, and after viewing Art21 films. These guides provide information about selected artists and themes, questions for classroom discussions, and hands-on activities that provide students with a fundamental understanding of creative and critical thinking processes.
Thank you for supporting our work
More than ever, online access to the lives and stories of artists is crucial, and Art21 is proud to share them with an ever-growing number of visitors including students, teachers, parents, and art enthusiasts alike from around the globe. If you are able at this time, please consider supporting the work of Art21. Every dollar makes a difference.
