Arts Archive

This show features John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech in 1961 paired with jazz related to that period in some way. (Recorded, performed, released on an album, etc.) Note, however, the version of the song in this program might not be the exact 1961 version. The songs in the program are as follows:

My Favorite Things-John Coltrain

Stolen Moments-Oliver Nelson

I'm Late, I'm Late-Stan Getz

Well, You Needn't-Miles Davis

Blues March-Art Blackey

Fantasia-Dizzy Gillespie

Waltz for Debby-Bill Evans

Arts and Answers producer Danielle Fox sat down with Jenny Lee, producer and editor of the independent film "The Skeleton Twins". The film stars Kristin Wig and Bill Hader as estranged twins Maggie and Milo, who are reunited after cheating death on the same day. Lee discusses the film, her editing process, and her transition from editing comic books to editing feature film. The Skeleton Twins is currently playing at Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Second and last part of an interview with Luis Perez-Orama, The Estrellita Brodsky Curator of Latin American Paintings and Drawings at MoMA. One of the curators of the exhibit "Lygia Clark, The Abandonment of Art," on show at MoMA until August 24, 2014, Mr. Oramas discusses in depth the life and works of the Brazilian artist Lygia Clark. Hosted by Augusto Ghiotto

First part of an interview with Luis Perez-Orama, The Estrellita Brodsky Curator of Latin American Paintings and Drawings at MoMA. One of the curators of the exhibit "Lygia Clark, The Abandonment of Art," on show at MoMA until August 24, 2014, Mr. Oramas discusses in depth the life and works of the Brazilian artist Lygia Clark. Hosted by Augusto Ghiotto

New York Times Bestselling Author and Vice President of Biographers International, Brian Jay Jones, talks about his second book, Jim Henson: The Biography. This definitive book about the Muppets creator has been hailed a New York Times Bestseller, chosen as the Best Biography of 2013 by Goodreads, and voted one of the Top Ten Books by CNN viewers. This interview was hosted by Brianna Brown on December 12, 2013 and originally aired on January 24, 2014.

Author Lynne Sharon Schwartz joins us to discuss her latest novel, Two-Part Inventions, now out in paperback. The novel traces the life of Suzanne, a classical pianist, whose sudden death forces her husband to reflect on his desicion to fabricate over one hundred recordings of her music. During the interview, Schwartz discusses her earliest publications from the 1970s, her childhood in Brooklyn, and her writing process. Hosted by Mahima Chablani.

An in-depth discussion with director Jia Zhangke about his new film, A Touch of Sin (2013), winner of Best Screenplay at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. The film follows four ordinary individuals from four corners of China who each finds that violence may be the only way to preserve justice and self dignity in a system fraught with corruption, oppression, and convulsive change. Director Jia will discuss these pressing social issues in China today, as well as the creative process behind his film and the social function of cinema.

An hour-long live interview with Genes and Machines, a New York-based electronic group that’s always in costume and always spinning with spontaneity. From funk to ambient, their music is charged with dreamy, warm, and sometimes jarring electronics. During the interview we discuss their new album “Heart Shaped Ass,” listen to cuts from their vinyl release, and hear a demo of group member Leon Gruenbaum’s patented keyboard invention, the Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee. Other bandmates joining us include Ava Farber, Leon Lamont, Shawn Banks, Adrian Romero, and Tears the Muffin Man.

For the last 4 years, Ensemble Pi has presented a Peace project - an annual multi-media event at Cooper Union, with the goal of making a space for a dialogue between ideas and music on great issues of the day, collaborating with artists, writers, actors, and journalists. This year's Peace Project is on October 12th at the CELL THEATER, the 8th in this series, marking the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

Doug Eklund, Curator in the Department of Photographs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, joins us to discuss his latest exhibit, Everyday Epiphanies: Photography and Daily Life since 1969. From Igor and Svetlana Kopystiansky’s video of trash blowing magnificently on the street to Mary Nickerson’s photographs of the Apollo 13 splashdown reflected on her television screen, the photographs and videos in this exhibit aim to capture moments in which meaning is discovered in the mundane.

Michael Cera joins us via phone to discuss his role as a cheeky American tourist in Crystal Fairy, a film directed by Sebastian Silva and shot in Santiago, Chile. In the film, Jamie (Cera) plans a drug-infused road trip with three Chilean brothers. He offhandedly invites Crystal Fairy (Gaby Hoffman), a nature-loving San Franciscan, who diverts Jamie from his quest to find a mescaline-containing San Pedro cactus. During the interview, Cera talks about the 12-day shooting process, the improvised dialogue, and his nickname "Pollo." Hosted by Mahima Chablani.

A conversation with Adelle Waldman, author of summer's buzzy new novel The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. In her debut novel, Waldman takes readers inside of the head of Nate, a Brooklyn-based writer who can't seem to get it right with women. During the interview, she reflects on the realities of discrimination towards women's fiction and her choices and process in creating Nate. Hosted by Emma Stein.

An interview with Andrew Bujalski, one of the most acclaimed directors of the last decade, who discusses his latest film, Computer Chess, a story about the race for artificial intelligence and the idiosyncratic scientists who devoted their lives to winning it. Bujalski shares his thoughts on technology, counterculture, art, and the state of the film industry. Hosted by Jackson Arn.

Academy Award winner Jim Rash joins us via phone to discuss his latest project: hosting The Writers' Room. This summer, Rash and Sundance Channel are going behind the scenes of hit comedies and dramas including American Horror Story,New Girl, and Dexter with the writing staffs who bring them to life.

Brian McKenna and Toussaint Liberator discuss their latest project, Dear Mama Earth (DME), an energetic album that communicates insight on critical environmental issues, in a collaboration show with the Arts and News departments. A fusion of reggae and soul, the album teems with affection and appreciation for Mother Earth and her future. The show includes an interview, a walk-and-talk through the DME studio in midtown Manhattan, and clips of their music. Hosted by Mahima Chablani and Zach Wyche.

Ty Martin joins us to discuss his role in the documentary “Before You Know it,” directed by PJ Raval. The documentary follows three gay senior citizens as each navigates the challenges and the beauty of aging. Martin is an active outreach member of Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders in Harlem, NY. During the interview, he reflects on the filming process as well as the immense change he has witnessed in his lifetime, from the Stonewall riots to the recent fall of DOMA. Hosted by Mahima Chablani.

Tune in at 9:30 PM for a discussion with director Matthew Miele on his latest film, "Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's." The film is a documentary that explores the history and importance of the legendary fashion department store, Bergdorf Goodman's. It includes interviews with fashion designers, style gurus, and celebrities, including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Karl Lagerfeld, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, and more. Hosted by Diane Cohen.

Filmmaker Adam Leon joins Zoë Flood Tardino to discuss his first feature film, "Gimme the Loot." The film follows Malcolm and Sofia, two teenage graffiti-writers from the Bronx, on their quest to find $500 so that they can tag the Mets' home run apple. They commit petty crimes and travel through rough sections of New York, but ultimately explore the joys of youth and friendship. For more information, visit http://gimmethelootmovie.com/

The dynamic father-daughter duo Fred and Jo Firestone join Frances Mayo to discuss the Punderdome 3000, a wordplay tournament that is the talk (or pun) of the town. At the Punderdome, people change their identities. They eat entire cakes in 90 seconds. There are matching Hawaiian shirts, Human Clap-o-Meters, Rodney Dangerfield impersonations, and PayDay candy bars flying through the room. The interview is interspersed with live recordings from the Punderdome. The Punderdome is hosted monthly at Littlefield in Brooklyn.

Justine Blau joins us to discuss her new memoir "Scattered." The memoir follows Blau during her childhood and preteen years, as she weaves through apartments and hotels in Manhattan with her chronically homeless family and bipolar mother. From sleeping in a movie theater to stealing a fur coat, the moments in this memoir are both colorful and deeply tragic.