Japanese American Design, Heath Ceramics, Gospel Music and More Highlighted in Tenth Season of KCET’s Original Arts and Culture Series ARTBOUND Premiering May 15
CONTACT:
Allison Gray
agray@kcet.org
747-201-5298
Five New Episodes Focus on Demographically Diverse Issues
Expressed Through Art and Innovators Making an Impact in California and Beyond
Images from KCET’s arts and culture series ARTBOUND exploring a variety of topics in its tenth season including (L to R):
Japanese American designers, Heath Ceramics, gospel in LA and Día de los Muertos. Images courtesy of KCET.
For downloadable artwork, please visit kcet.org/pressroom
Burbank, Calif. – April 23, 2019 – KCET, a producer of award-winning and diverse original content for public media, announced today the return of the KCET Original Emmy® award-winning arts and culture series ARTBOUND. The tenth season of the series examines the lives, works and creative processes of arts and culture innovators making an impact in Southern California and beyond. KCET in Southern California will premiere the series on Wed., May 15 at 9 p.m. PT. The series will subsequently air Fri., May 17 on PBS SoCal at 8 p.m. PT and Tues., May 21 on Link TV via DirecTV (channel 375) / Dish Network (channel 9410) at 10 pm ET/PT.
Following its broadcast, each episode will stream on the free KCET and PBS Video apps available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, the App Store and Google Play, as well as on YouTube, kcet.org/artbound, pbssocal.org/artbound and linktv.org/artbound.
To launch the tenth season of ARTBOUND, a FREE premiere screening of the debut episode “Masters of Modern Design: The Art of the Japanese American Experience” will take place at Downtown Los Angeles’ Japanese American National Museum’s Tateuchi Democracy Forum on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. A Q&A with the filmmakers and some of the people interviewed in the film as well as a light reception will follow the screening. This program is free, but RSVPs are recommended using the link here or at janm.org/events/2019/05/#09
Episodes this season highlight some of California’s most admired artists and subjects, including ceramicist Edith Heath, gospel legend James Cleveland and Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa.
This season of ARTBOUND will be telecast as follows (subject to change*):
“Masters of Modern Design: The Art of the Japanese American Experience”– Wed., May 15 at 9 p.m. on KCET
A look at the influence of Japanese American artists on modern design. From the iconic typeface of “The Godfather” book cover to Herman Miller’s Noguchi table, the influence of Japanese American artists and designers in postwar American art and design is unparalleled. While this second generation of Japanese American artists have been celebrated in various publications and exhibitions for their iconic work, less-discussed is how the WWII incarceration—a period of intense hardship and discrimination— has also had a powerful effect on the lives of artists such as Ruth Asawa, George Nakashima, Isamu Noguchi, S. Neil Fujita and Gyo Obata. Co-produced by the Japanese American National Museum’s Watase Media Arts Center.
“Heath Ceramics: The Making of a California Classic” – Wed., May 22 at 9 p.m. on KCET
An exploration of the work of Edith Heath and the legacy of Heath Ceramics. ARTBOUND looks at the dinnerware of Heath Ceramics and a design that has stood the test of time since the company began in the late 1940’s. Through the writings of Edith Heath, the founder and designer of Heath Ceramics voiced by renowned chef (and Heath Ceramics aficionado) Nancy Silverton, the film explores the groundbreaking work of a woman who created a classic of American design. Co-produced by Tilapia Films.
“Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead” – Wed., May 29. at 9 p.m. on KCET
An exploration of the transformation of Día de los Muertos from its pre-colonial beginnings in Mexico to a worldwide holiday. Día de los Muertos has been adapted for centuries from its pre-colonial roots to the popular depictions in mass media today. Inspired by rich Oaxacan traditions, it was brought to East Los Angeles in the 1970’s as a way to enrich and reclaim Chicano identity through a small celebration at Self Help Graphics and Art. Since then, the celebration has grown in proportions with renditions enacted in communities all around the world. In contrast to all the glamorous fanfare Día de los Muertos now receives, ARTBOUND offers a more intimate look at this ritual through the story of artist Ofelia Esparza, who continues the tradition of building altars to remember the dead. Journey with her as she travels back to Mexico in search of her ancestral roots. Co-produced by Dignicraft.
“How Sweet the Sound: Gospel in Los Angeles” – Wed., June 5 at 9 p.m. on KCET
This episode explores the history of gospel music in Los Angeles by looking at the 1960’s and 1970’s, when the west coast redefined the sound of gospel and broadcast it to the world. Gospel music would not be what it is today if not for the impact left by Los Angeles in the late 60’s and early 70’s, a time defined by political movements across the country. Notable artists like James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin captured the church experience of South Central in live recordings. Hear the voices and sentiments of the people coming together to give birth to a new gospel sound and to elect LA’s first black mayor, Tom Bradley. The episode was co-produced by Wrong Creative. Dr. Daniel Walker is a producer and also founded the Gospel Music Archive at USC. The episode was produced in conjunction with the Heritage Music Foundation.
“Jeffrey Deitch’s Los Angeles” – Wed., June 12 at 9 p.m. on KCET
Get a glimpse of the inner workings of the contemporary art world as Jeffrey Deitch opens a new gallery in Los Angeles. The charming, unusual and at times polarizing Deitch left Los Angeles in 2013 after a tumultuous run as the director of MOCA ending in his resignation. He makes his return with a new gallery opening with the first LA exhibit of renowned Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei. See the contemporary art world through the eyes of a legendary art dealer and curator Jeffrey Deitch. Directed by Alexandria Stapleton.
Join the conversation on social media using #Artbound
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ARTBOUND is supported in part by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the California Humanities (a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities), the California Arts Council and other generous institutional funders.
ABOUT ARTBOUND
The critically acclaimed weekly television series and online destination ARTBOUND captures the spirit of the burgeoning arts and culture community in California and explores how it's shaping California as the creative capital of the world. The KCET Original series explores and illuminates the cultural issues of our times, providing critical in-depth analysis of how arts and culture affect society. The series and the online stories that are found at kcet.org/artbound and linktv.org/artbound are the result of cultural tastemakers throughout the region and collaborations with LA’s top cultural institutions. Since its inception in 2012, the series has earned high industry praise including several Emmy® Awards, LA Press Club awards, two Golden Mike awards and a National Entertainment Journalism award, among others. ASCAP has recognized ARTBOUND with the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor / Virgil Thomson Multimedia Award for outstanding music.
ABOUT KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 54-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit http://www.kcet.org/apps. KCET is a content channel of the Public Media Group of Southern California.
