Michael Blackwood

Michael Blackwood Productions is an independent production company that has produced over 150 documentaries on the arts and its contributors, with a focus on architecture and architects, art and artists, dance and choreographers, and music and composers. The collection features over 1,000 participants or subjects, and spans over six decades of documentation, beginning in the 1960s and including earlier material, through the second decade of the 21st Century. The films serve as primary documents for educational and archival purposes, as well as informative and special interest pieces for the general public. A growing number of educational institutions, libraries, museums and various media outlets are acquiring the films around the world. The company is dedicated to preserving the underlying material, and digitizing its analogue portfolio. The collection itself is one of the largest and most significant of its kind.

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Greg Lynn: Archaeologist of the Digital (2014)

Greg Lynn, one of the leading figures in computer-aided architectural design, visits the first in a series of exhibitions initiated by the Canadian Centre for Architecture for which he is the curator. The exhibitions, which will travel to the Yale School of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Peter Eisenman

Greg Lynn, one of the leading figures in computer-aided architectural design, visits the first in a series of exhibitions initiated by the Canadian Centre for Architecture for which he is the curator. The exhibitions, which will travel to the Yale School of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Peter Eisenman

The Sensual Nature of Sound: 4 Composers Laurie Anderson, Tania Leon, Meredith Monk, Pauline ... (1993)

The Sensual Nature of Sound portrays four New York based composers and performers in terms of their musical lives and artistic passion. Though Laurie Anderson, Tania Leon, Meredith Monk and Pauline Oliveros are all pioneers in American music, each composer pursues ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Laurie Anderson  •  Tania Leon  •  Meredith Monk  •  Pauline Oliveros

The Sensual Nature of Sound portrays four New York based composers and performers in terms of their musical lives and artistic passion. Though Laurie Anderson, Tania Leon, Meredith Monk and Pauline Oliveros are all pioneers in American music, each composer pursues ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Laurie Anderson  •  Tania Leon  •  Meredith Monk  •  Pauline Oliveros

Japan: 3 Generations of Avant-Garde Architects (1989)

Japan's establishment as an economic superpower led to a Golden Age of Japanese architecture. Six innovators stand out particularly, fusing Japanese traditions with modern materials and technology.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Tadao Ando  •  Kenneth Frampton  •  Arata Isozaki  •  Itsuko Hasegawa

Japan's establishment as an economic superpower led to a Golden Age of Japanese architecture. Six innovators stand out particularly, fusing Japanese traditions with modern materials and technology.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Tadao Ando  •  Kenneth Frampton  •  Arata Isozaki  •  Itsuko Hasegawa

David Chipperfield: Form Matters (2012)

When the Tuscan city of Pisa commissioned David Chipperfield to create a master plan that would bring new vitality to this historic spot on the Arno, an exhibition of selected works produced by him in the last 25 years was also invited. "David Chipperfield: Form ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  David Chipperfield

When the Tuscan city of Pisa commissioned David Chipperfield to create a master plan that would bring new vitality to this historic spot on the Arno, an exhibition of selected works produced by him in the last 25 years was also invited. "David Chipperfield: Form ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  David Chipperfield

Masters of Modern Sculpture Part I: The Pioneers (1978)

The first chapter in our Masters of Modern Sculpture series looks at groundbreaking work from the brilliant minds that reshaped sculptural art and inspired generations to come. Narrated by George Segal, The Pioneers explores famed pieces from sculptors such as ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  George Segal

The first chapter in our Masters of Modern Sculpture series looks at groundbreaking work from the brilliant minds that reshaped sculptural art and inspired generations to come. Narrated by George Segal, The Pioneers explores famed pieces from sculptors such as ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  George Segal

Masters of Modern Sculpture Part II: Beyond Cubism (1978)

Centered around the emergence of Constructivism, Futurism, Surrealism and Dada, Beyond Cubism takes a closer look at the artists who ignited the new movements and the alterations of artistic culture brought forth by World War II. Creating out of their philosophy ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Joseph Beuys

Centered around the emergence of Constructivism, Futurism, Surrealism and Dada, Beyond Cubism takes a closer look at the artists who ignited the new movements and the alterations of artistic culture brought forth by World War II. Creating out of their philosophy ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Joseph Beuys

Masters of Modern Sculpture Part III: The New World (1978)

The Masters of Modern Sculpture series concludes with a look at post- World War II America, where sculpture became a deeply innovative art form. Using the objects at their disposal and the inspiration surrounding them, artists such as George Rickey, Claes Oldenburg ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Christo  •  Isamu Noguchi  •  Richard Serra

The Masters of Modern Sculpture series concludes with a look at post- World War II America, where sculpture became a deeply innovative art form. Using the objects at their disposal and the inspiration surrounding them, artists such as George Rickey, Claes Oldenburg ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Christo  •  Isamu Noguchi  •  Richard Serra

Isamu Noguchi (1972)

Isamu Noguchi talks about his career in this documentary featuring Ezra Pound.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Christian Blackwood  •  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Walter Dusenbery  •  Buckminster Fuller  •  Isamu Noguchi  •  Ezra Pound

Isamu Noguchi talks about his career in this documentary featuring Ezra Pound.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Christian Blackwood  •  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Walter Dusenbery  •  Buckminster Fuller  •  Isamu Noguchi  •  Ezra Pound

Peter Eisenman: Making Architecture Move (1995)

With the participation of famed architects such as Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind and Zaha Hadid, Peter Eisenman: Making Architecture Move provides an intimate look into the work of the daring and controversial creator. Filmed in the U.S. and Germany, Eisenman takes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Peter Eisenman  •  Stanley Aronoff  •  Frank Gehry  •  Kurt Forster

With the participation of famed architects such as Frank Gehry, Daniel Libeskind and Zaha Hadid, Peter Eisenman: Making Architecture Move provides an intimate look into the work of the daring and controversial creator. Filmed in the U.S. and Germany, Eisenman takes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Peter Eisenman  •  Stanley Aronoff  •  Frank Gehry  •  Kurt Forster

Making Dances: Seven Post-Modern Choreographers (1980)

Made in 1980, this film explores the contemporary dance scene through the work of seven New York-based choreographers. They discuss the nature of dance and the evolution of their own work. Filmed at rehearsals, performances, and during interviews, the film is a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Trisha Brown  •  Lucinda Childs  •  Douglas Dunn  •  David Gordon

Made in 1980, this film explores the contemporary dance scene through the work of seven New York-based choreographers. They discuss the nature of dance and the evolution of their own work. Filmed at rehearsals, performances, and during interviews, the film is a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Trisha Brown  •  Lucinda Childs  •  Douglas Dunn  •  David Gordon

Bernd and Hilla Becher: Typologies of Industrial Architecture (2007)

Working together as photographers since 1957, Bernd and Hilla Becher have become known for capturing endangered architecture quickly vanishing from the modern landscape. By the end of the 1960's they were part of the conceptual art movement in view of their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Bernd Becher  •  Hilla Becher

Working together as photographers since 1957, Bernd and Hilla Becher have become known for capturing endangered architecture quickly vanishing from the modern landscape. By the end of the 1960's they were part of the conceptual art movement in view of their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Bernd Becher  •  Hilla Becher

The Artist's Studio: Jean Dubuffet (1973)

In the fall of 1973 we had an opportunity to visit Jean Dubuffet in his studio while he was at work on a detail for his musical theater piece Coucou Bazar. The production, which Dubuffet saw as an animated painting, featured performers in costumes resembling ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST: 

In the fall of 1973 we had an opportunity to visit Jean Dubuffet in his studio while he was at work on a detail for his musical theater piece Coucou Bazar. The production, which Dubuffet saw as an animated painting, featured performers in costumes resembling ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST: 

Deconstructivist Architects (1990)

By the end of the 1980's a new architectural sensibility challenged the prevailing post-Modern attitude and brought forth new and daring designs. Driven by the philosophy and theory of Jacques Derrida, the architects of Deconstructivism are rooted in a movement ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Jacques Derrida  •  Peter Eisenman  •  Frank Gehry  •  Zaha Hadid

By the end of the 1980's a new architectural sensibility challenged the prevailing post-Modern attitude and brought forth new and daring designs. Driven by the philosophy and theory of Jacques Derrida, the architects of Deconstructivism are rooted in a movement ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Jacques Derrida  •  Peter Eisenman  •  Frank Gehry  •  Zaha Hadid

A Day with Zaha Hadid (2004)

While guiding us through her retrospective exhibition “Zaha Hadid Has Arrived”, the renowned architect recalls her career from its beginning, discussing her education, inspiration and technique. The exhibition, located at The MAK in Vienna, features a new sculpture ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Zaha Hadid

While guiding us through her retrospective exhibition “Zaha Hadid Has Arrived”, the renowned architect recalls her career from its beginning, discussing her education, inspiration and technique. The exhibition, located at The MAK in Vienna, features a new sculpture ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Zaha Hadid

After Modernism: The Dilemma of Influence (1992)

Since the 1960s, other disciplines, cultures, and artists previously excluded from modernism's privileged canons have become absorbed into an ever expanding field of activity and influence. Younger artists are a new breed of cultural scavengers, anything or anyone ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Isa Genzken  •  David Hammons  •  Mike Kelley

Since the 1960s, other disciplines, cultures, and artists previously excluded from modernism's privileged canons have become absorbed into an ever expanding field of activity and influence. Younger artists are a new breed of cultural scavengers, anything or anyone ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Isa Genzken  •  David Hammons  •  Mike Kelley

Speaking of Abstraction: A Universal Language (1999)

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, abstraction - that most quintessentially modernist innovation - maintains a peculiarly contradictory position. Used, on one hand, by post-modernist artists as just one more quotable style amongst many, it is on the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Helmut Federle  •  Günther Förg  •  Jonathan Lasker  •  Robert Mangold

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, abstraction - that most quintessentially modernist innovation - maintains a peculiarly contradictory position. Used, on one hand, by post-modernist artists as just one more quotable style amongst many, it is on the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Helmut Federle  •  Günther Förg  •  Jonathan Lasker  •  Robert Mangold

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DIRECTION:  Christian Blackwood  •  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Katia Mann  •  Erika Mann  •  Golo Mann

What is Minimalism? : The American Perspective 1958-1968 (2004)

Featuring notable Minimalist artists such as Bride Marden, Claes Oldenburg, and Donald Judd, What is Minimalism: The American Perspective 1958-1968 explores the movement during an explorative exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles. Exhibition ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST: 

Featuring notable Minimalist artists such as Bride Marden, Claes Oldenburg, and Donald Judd, What is Minimalism: The American Perspective 1958-1968 explores the movement during an explorative exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles. Exhibition ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST: 

Gerhard Richter: 4 Decades (2005)

Curator Robert Storr takes us through the 2002 MoMA Gerhard Richter retrospective.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Gerhard Richter  •  Robert Storr

Curator Robert Storr takes us through the 2002 MoMA Gerhard Richter retrospective.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Gerhard Richter  •  Robert Storr

A New Spirit in Painting: 6 Painters of the 1980's (1984)

Explores the paths being forged by six modern artists, giving us rare insight into the minds behind this rousing new wave of painting.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Georg Baselitz  •  Sandro Chia  •  Francesco Clemente  •  David Salle

Explores the paths being forged by six modern artists, giving us rare insight into the minds behind this rousing new wave of painting.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Blackwood
CAST:  Georg Baselitz  •  Sandro Chia  •  Francesco Clemente  •  David Salle
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