[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.13,0:00:44.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ saw buzzing ]
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.72,0:00:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,DAVID ALTMEJD: I don't need to make sketches\Nof the sculptures I make
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.32,0:00:56.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I don't think\Nthat there's a lot of difference
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.40,0:00:59.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Between putting ink\Non a piece of paper
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.96,0:01:02.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and gluing little pieces\Nof crystal
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.96,0:01:04.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on plexiglas in space.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.04,0:01:07.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't do drawings,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.28,0:01:11.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I have other materials\Nthat I find interesting.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.52,0:01:27.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,95% of the relationship\NI have to my work
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.28,0:01:29.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is through process.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.04,0:01:33.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not as a distant object.\NIt's a made object.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.80,0:01:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I like the idea\Nof trusting the work,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.24,0:01:42.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trusting the material,\Nand trusting
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.28,0:01:46.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that every little step\Nis gonna dictate the next one.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.24,0:01:52.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have to give it a structure.\NThat's on me.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.96,0:01:54.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then at a certain point,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.56,0:01:58.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the material behaves\Nin such unpredictable ways
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.20,0:01:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I find beautiful.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.44,0:02:26.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ sighs ]
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.36,0:02:32.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm interested in science
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.32,0:02:34.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the same way I'm interested\Nin art,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.32,0:02:37.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a sort of childlike\Nfascination.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.76,0:02:46.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I realized very early\Nin my studies in science
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.12,0:02:49.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I wasn't interested\Nin learning a language.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.44,0:02:52.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was really interested\Nin inventing languages.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.40,0:02:58.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I figured out that art would be\Nthe perfect place for me
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.76,0:03:02.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because what's encouraged\Nis the invention of languages.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.88,0:03:09.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even when I was a kid\Nand was making drawing,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.16,0:03:12.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what I found fascinating\Nis that I was able
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.76,0:03:18.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make whatever I want\Nexist in this world
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.32,0:03:20.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and have people react to it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:29.76,0:03:34.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've always felt different,\NI mean, for many reasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.96,0:03:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My father comes\Nfrom eastern Europe,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.44,0:03:40.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm Jewish, and I'm gay.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.16,0:03:41.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But when you're young\Nand you realize
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.72,0:03:43.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you have an ease\Nat something
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.80,0:03:45.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a talent for something,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.80,0:03:47.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it gives you confidence.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.30,0:03:59.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's minty.\NIt smells like mint.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.72,0:04:01.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's true, because they use–\Nthat's what they use
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.76,0:04:04.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the dentist to take\Nthe imprint of your–
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.96,0:04:06.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not toxic, you know?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.30,0:05:33.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ exhales ]
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.32,0:05:47.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I make a sculpture,\NI deal with the material first.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.60,0:05:52.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then I try to inject\Nmy sensibility in it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.64,0:05:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I try to give a certain flavor\Nto the sculpture.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.32,0:06:01.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's how I make color choices,\Nfor example.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.32,0:06:04.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I see the importance\Nof the choice of colors
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.44,0:06:07.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as changing everything\Ninside the sculpture.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.88,0:06:14.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm extremely attracted\Nto pastel colors,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.36,0:06:16.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they have to be\Ndirty in some way.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.08,0:06:21.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I like the combination\Nof lavender and pink
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.72,0:06:23.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and maybe mint green,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.44,0:06:24.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but then there has to be
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.52,0:06:28.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some kind of dirty brown\Ngreen in it...
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.84,0:06:34.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just to kind of infect\Nthe prettiness.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.84,0:06:39.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then I feel like I've found\Nexactly the right balance.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.00,0:06:49.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't want the sculpture\Nthat I make
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.16,0:06:51.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be a mere illustration.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.01,0:06:54.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I try to build an object
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.48,0:06:59.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's gonna become complex\Nenough, have enough layers,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.72,0:07:02.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have enough references\Nand energy
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.88,0:07:05.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to start feeling\Nlike it's alive...
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.75,0:07:10.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That it's developing\Nthe capacity
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.92,0:07:13.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of generating its own meaning.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.96,0:07:17.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then I can look at it\Nfrom a distance
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.72,0:07:19.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and learn from it,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.52,0:07:25.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I can almost see it say\Nor hear it say
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.04,0:07:26.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things that I never thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.84,0:07:45.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These are meant\Nto resemble bees.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.40,0:07:46.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Actually, in that piece,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.36,0:07:48.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what I'm gonna try\Nto be doing is
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.48,0:07:54.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,accumulate a lot\Nof small elements
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.80,0:07:59.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are sort of referential,\Nfigurative elements–
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.64,0:08:02.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bees, insects, needles–
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.84,0:08:04.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and accumulate them to the point
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.88,0:08:08.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where that swarm\Nthat I'm going to create
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.12,0:08:10.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is going to become\Na sort of abstract shape.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.80,0:08:11.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I want to start
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.92,0:08:17.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by figurative, recognizable,\Nsmall, detailed elements
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.00,0:08:21.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and combine them to make\Nsomething that becomes abstract.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.16,0:08:23.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Very often,\Nit's the other way around.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.20,0:08:26.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The more you zoom in,\Nthe more abstract it becomes.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.32,0:08:30.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In that case, I want to start\Nwith a large abstract shape,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.60,0:08:31.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when you zoom in,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.60,0:08:34.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you actually start recognizing\Nthings more and more.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.50,0:09:16.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[train rumbling on tracks]
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.64,0:10:13.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ saw buzzing ]
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.08,0:10:21.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ saw buzzing ]
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.44,0:10:34.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I make sculpture,\Nwhat I'm trying to do is
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.36,0:10:39.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make an object that's going\Nto feel like it's alive.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.48,0:10:44.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm not interested\Nin re-presenting life.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.96,0:10:48.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm more interested\Nin making objects
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.20,0:10:51.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that sort of function\Nlike living things,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.60,0:10:54.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so they'll feel\Nlike they're alive.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.07,0:11:00.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I put my hands on it\Nor when I make holes in it
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.20,0:11:03.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and drag plaster\Nthrough that hole,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.12,0:11:06.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's really to inject\Nan energy in it.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.60,0:11:09.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I kind of like that contrast
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.24,0:11:13.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between the fact\Nthat a hole through the chest
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.28,0:11:17.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,might be interpreted\Nas meaning death,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.24,0:11:20.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but in my mind,\Nit's actually the opposite
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.84,0:11:42.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it should not even,\Nlike, be flush.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.44,0:11:43.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it should be lower,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.92,0:11:45.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because, if you can imagine,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.92,0:11:51.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if I put plaster on it\Nand it's flush with the surface,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.96,0:11:55.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then I–that means there will be\Nsuch a thin layer of plaster
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.36,0:11:57.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that, like, just that\Nis gonna make it crack.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.18,0:11:57.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Yeah.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.74,0:12:00.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Take it down, like,\Nat least 1/8 inch.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.30,0:12:01.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- All right.\N- Right?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.65,0:12:02.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- Yeah.\N- Thanks.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.63,0:12:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ scraping sounds ]
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.88,0:12:11.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[scraping sounds]
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.92,0:12:16.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This one is part of a series\Nthat I started a year ago
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.04,0:12:17.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,called "The Watchers."
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.27,0:12:21.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ saw buzzing ]\N
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.48,0:12:28.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The Watchers" are some kind\Nof angel figures.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.76,0:12:32.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're not necessarily\Nwinged figure,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.08,0:12:33.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the cliche of the angel,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.56,0:12:37.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the ears have something\Na little bit winglike.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.19,0:12:40.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ saw buzzing ]
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.39,0:12:46.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm also interested\Nin openings, orifices.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:47.84,0:12:50.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a body that would be filled\Nwith orifices
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.76,0:12:54.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that usually have the purpose\Nof hearing sound
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.08,0:12:55.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was interesting as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.88,0:12:57.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The idea of senses.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.44,0:13:00.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes their bodies\Nare covered in hands;
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.80,0:13:02.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's the idea of the touch.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:02.52,0:13:03.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if they're covered in ears,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.96,0:13:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I like the idea that they're–
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.52,0:13:10.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,become like a body that would be\Nultrasensitive with sound.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.36,0:13:13.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[sighs]
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.68,0:13:20.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think faster than I can speak.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.96,0:13:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My brain is not the best when it\Ncomes to verbal language.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:27.48,0:13:29.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it seems like\NI'm very comfortable
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.56,0:13:31.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,using matter and placing things.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.76,0:13:34.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It feels like my brain\Nis totally in sync.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.23,0:13:47.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Sometimes I feel like\Nthere's brains in my hands.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:45.32,0:14:50.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"The Vessel," there's something\Nalmost religious about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:50.60,0:14:53.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's really making a very\Nstrong reference to the body
Dialogue: 0,0:14:53.68,0:14:55.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in its symmetrical shape.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.64,0:15:07.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The way it's radiating feels\Nalmost Catholic in some way.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:08.60,0:15:11.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I can see it going\Nin that direction,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.04,0:15:14.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the idea of a center of energy
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.28,0:15:18.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and radiation of that energy\Nand the body,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.04,0:15:22.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something that wasn't\Nas clear before in my work.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.52,0:16:09.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because of the fact\Nthat it's not symmetrical,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.80,0:16:13.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I feel like the swarm\Nbecomes more like a landscape
Dialogue: 0,0:16:13.00,0:16:14.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and less like a body.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:19.84,0:16:24.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That shape floating in space\Nis very soft.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.52,0:16:27.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That almost looks like\Na cloud somehow.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:29.11,0:16:31.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But they're, at the same time,\Naggressive.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.72,0:16:36.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every element in that swarm\Nhas the potential to sting you.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.24,0:16:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found that combination
Dialogue: 0,0:16:39.24,0:16:42.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the softness\Nof that abstract cloud shape
Dialogue: 0,0:16:42.73,0:16:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that aggressive potential\Nto be really nice, that balance.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.88,0:16:53.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The vessel and the swarm\Nare big enough
Dialogue: 0,0:16:53.32,0:16:55.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be considered\Nlike laboratories
Dialogue: 0,0:16:55.88,0:17:00.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,inside of which I try things,\NI combine materials in new ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.68,0:17:03.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I make mistakes,\NI come up with new ideas.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:04.92,0:17:08.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The work has developed\Nenough complexity and layers
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.60,0:17:10.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and intelligence\Nand independence
Dialogue: 0,0:17:10.68,0:17:15.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that it's able to generate\Nitself and transform itself.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:35.27,0:17:38.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,[ ANNOUNCER ] To learn more about \N"Art in the Twenty-First Century"
Dialogue: 0,0:17:38.39,0:17:40.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and its educational resources,
Dialogue: 0,0:17:40.65,0:17:45.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,please visit us online at: \NPBS.org/Art21
Dialogue: 0,0:17:48.68,0:17:52.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“Art in the Twenty-First Century” is available on DVD.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:52.65,0:17:55.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The companion book is also available.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:55.42,0:17:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To order, visit us online at: shopPBS.org
Dialogue: 0,0:17:59.32,0:18:04.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or call PBS Home Video at: \N1-800-PLAY-PBS