Red Grooms: Sunflower in a Hothouse Soundtrack (1986)

Synopsis

In this vibrant glimpse of the life and work of contemporary American artist Red Grooms, he reveals his secret weapon - a hot glue gun - and the sources of inspiration for his life-size three-dimensional works which he has dubbed "picto-sculptoramas." "Red Grooms: Sunflower in a Hothouse" is a colorful glimpse of the life and work of this innovative artist. The film opens with contrasting scenes from New York City streets - a rich diversity that often provides Grooms' inspiration. Juxtaposing actual street scenes with Grooms' satirical interpretations, the film brilliantly reflects the humor and humanism prevalent in his work. Red Grooms conducts a brief journey into the two and three-dimensional walk-in works which he calls "picto-sculptoramas." Melding painting and sculpture, high art and pop culture, Grooms' "environments" invite audience participation - a life-size subway car keeps one seat reserved. The film captures Grooms creating in his studio, sketching on the city streets and travelling home to Nashville, Tennessee for a retrospective of his work. Interviews reveal his early influences and his philosophy about his work, which he sees as a combination of "kitsch, pop and classicism." Barbara Haskell, curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art calls his work "art of the people." Her running commentary throughout the film offers insight into Grooms' pieces and conceptualizes them within Twentieth Century art. The title: "Sunflower in a Hothouse" is a phrase coined about Grooms by New York art critic, John Casaday. This delightful film shares the work of an artist who ambitiously undertakes the re-creation of the human comedy.

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