Art21 Extended Play

Glenn Ligon: Layers of Meaning

by Ian Forster | Apr 18, 2014
Glenn Ligon

Glenn Ligon. Hands(detail), 1996. Production still from the series Exclusive. © Art21, Inc. 2014. Cinematography: Joel Shapiro.

“Like any artwork, things become richer if you know more about them, but I don’t think that’s crucial.” —Glenn Ligon

Today’s Exclusive features Glenn Ligon discussing texts and cultural events, such as the writings of James Baldwin and the Million Man March, that inspired some of his paintings. Although viewers who are familiar with these references might have a “richer” experience than those who don’t, as Ligon explains, having this knowledge is not necessary to have a meaningful experience with his work. Ligon was interviewed in 2011 at his Brooklyn, New York studio.

Exclusive is supported, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; 21c Museum Hotel, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and by individual contributors.

Contributor
As a producer and director, Ian Forster creates documentary content for Art21’s various digital and broadcast programs. Since joining the organization in 2009, he has worked on four seasons of Art in the Twenty-First Century and the Peabody Award-winning film William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible. Additionally, he has overseen the digital series Extended Play since 2012, producing over 100 short artist portraits. Forster created the online video series Artist to Artist in 2013, which has since featured artists in conversation with their peers at international biennials in Italy, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

 

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