A towering figure in modern art, many know Norwegian Edvard Munch as one of the greatest of all 19th- and 20th-century artists, whose iconic painting of The Scream recently sold for 120 million dollars. An interesting revelation during the film is that when Munch painted The Scream, he left it outside to dry and, today, it still has candle wax splotches and bird droppings from 1893 that serve as a reminder of the value of art, its immortality and the importance of preserving its legacy without alterations. When a work of art attracts this much adoration, it is certain that there is much more to art than just painted images, or what we observe.
His complete works are remarkable and secure his place as one of the greatest artists ever to have lived and, with this documentary, you get an exclusive opportunity of exploring 220 of his masterworks. The film gives you a unique and privileged once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of getting up close and personal with the relationship between the artist and his work, the man inside the artist, and those who view it.
Ten minutes before the start of the film there's an interesting trivia question section, giving Munch guru's and art connoisseurs an entertaining opportunity of testing their knowledge without getting involved in a heavy debate.
Another bonus of the documentary is that it is emotionally underscored by classical Norwegian music, which not only allows you to journey into the splashes of colour and strokes of genius, but also give you an opportunity of understanding the dark-and-melancholy world of an artist who was imprisoned by denunciation, poor health and loneliness.
We mostly look at art, but seldom journey beyond the canvas and into the mindscape of its creator. Appreciating art and understanding it are two different issues that surface during the 90-minute tour. At the end you will not only have greater understanding of art, but Munch 150 guarantees that you will never look at a painting in the same way ever gain. And if a lost treasure of Grandma Tilly lies hidden in a dusty basement or closet, you will definitely take a closer look and discover that it was indeed a gift worth gold.
Art is a personal and sacred experience; its preservation and appreciation is vital and integral to the life force that feeds our culture and souls. It allows us to see the world and its inhabitants from a more colourful and interesting perspective. Issues of loneliness, death, sexual awakening, romance and the majestic glory of nature are imbedded in Munch's masterpieces.
In Death in the Sickroom, a tragic incident that occurred in Munch's life when he was a child and he stood in the room with his siblings, Munch the artist depicts himself and his siblings as adults; this is the artist at his most profound and provocative, allowing us to time travel into the future and muse over the past. And sometimes, a Munch painting might just look like the dark interior of a train, but when you look closer you note the man sitting staring out of the window. Munch triumphantly bears the test of time and his work is as relevant today at it was during his lifetime.
Bend your mind and challenge your perception; there are only four screenings of Munch 150 in South Africa at Cinema Nouveau on 14, 15, 18 and 19 September, so make sure to experience art at its most profound.
Munch 150 is the second screening in the Exhibition: Great Art on Screen series, and was staged at Oslo's National Gallery and Munch Museums, which featured the largest retrospective of his work ever displayed and was a must-see exhibition in 2013.
If you wondered what the "150" in the title refers to, Norway is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edvard Munch (1863 to 1944) this year. The film provides an in-depth look at paintings such as: The Sick Child, The Girls on the Bridge, The Death of Marat and Self-Portrait Between the Clock and the Bed. In addition, experts will examine Munch's Frieze of Life, comprising some of his most famous works: The Scream, Madonna, The Dance of Life and Death in the Sickroom.
The corresponding cinema event will go behind the scenes to show how the exhibition came together - as well as providing an in-depth biography of a man who lived from the mid-19th century right through to the German occupation during the Second World War. Norwegian and international experts, including the exhibition curators Nils Olsen, Mai Britt Guleng and Jon-Ove Steihaug, offer their expert insight and knowledge to host Tim Marlow.
The ground-breaking Exhibition On Screen series offers an unprecedented opportunity for audiences worldwide to experience the finest masterpieces of art from the world's foremost galleries, which otherwise would only be seen locally. The series aims to allow art lovers of all ages to enjoy, marvel, delight and more deeply understand the works of some of history's most beloved painters.
