When my colleague and I first met José during our initial studio visit before production for this film began, he told us that things were about to ‘get weird’ in the studio. He had just come out of his first solo show in New York and was pondering what was next. It was a great privilege to work with José in this time of transition and transformation, as he experimented with new materials and found new ways to ground himself in the studio.

Art21 today announced the release of “José de Jesús Rodríguez’s Back & Forth,” a new documentary film following the New York City-based painter in a moment of creative transition as he brings processes like mosaic and relief sculpture into an emerging body of work.

Spring 2026 to Feature New Documentaries, Screenings, Artist Talks, and a New Episode of Art in the Twenty-First Century

The first idea Trey and I had for this film was to conduct an interview on the Spook-a-Rama ride at Coney Island. It felt like the perfect way to get inside his mind—surrounded by a cacophony of laughter, screaming, and illusion.

Strolling the boardwalks of Coney Island, artist Trey Abdella gets inspiration from the camp, craft, and engineering hidden within the rides and attractions, discovering surprising new strategies for painting.

 Spotlighting the creative practices of 23 contemporary artists, Art21’s fall lineup expands public access to the words and works of the most impactful artists working today, including Sophie Calle, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Delcy Morelos, among others  New York, New York—July 14, 2025—Art21 announces its Fall 2025 season of programs, including broadcast and digital premieres, film […]

Adam Golfer—Neither one of us had ever worked on a film about a group of artists whose practices are all very different, but operate together as a collective, and come together for a unified purpose. After meeting with the collective I Wanna Be With You Everywhere (IWBWYE) for the first time, it became clear that […]

Art21 today announced the release of “I Wanna Be With You Everywhere,” a new documentary film featuring the artist collective of the same name. Directed by Andrea Chung and Adam Golfer, the film premieres Wednesday, June 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET on Art21.org and YouTube.

When I was first introduced to Hyeree, I fell in love with her work immediately. Given our shared background—we’re both East Asians living in the US, existing between two languages and two places—it’s perhaps not surprising that I resonated with Hyeree’s musings around language and the idea that when you’re speaking one language, you’re one […]

Art21 is proud to announce the release of a new film: “Hyeree Ro’s Precise Ambiguity,” premiering Wednesday, April 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET on Art21.org and YouTube.