New BBC Four idents released to mark Abstract Season
Today, four specially created channel idents will air to celebrate a new season, BBC Four Goes Abstract: When Art Broke Free.
Published: 8 September 2014
I’m delighted that such a talented group of artists have been able to offer their own unique take on the channel. BBC Four prides itself on being eclectic, esoteric, intelligent and witty – something that all of our artists have captured in their extremely original creations.
The idents have been created by 2013 Turner Prize-winning artist Laure Prouvost; acclaimed artists John Smith and Sebastian Buerkner; and this year’s Turner Prize nominee James Richards. From Monday 8 September – Sunday 14 September, every single BBC Four junction will be taken over by the abstract designs. They can also be seen at BBC Arts Online, alongside a series of short films about abstract art.
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four, says: “I’m delighted that such a talented group of artists have been able to offer their own unique take on the channel. BBC Four prides itself on being eclectic, esoteric, intelligent and witty – something that all of our artists have captured in their extremely original creations.”
Cary Wakefield, Director, Marketing and Audiences, Television, says: “Working with artists to create new channel idents is a first for BBC Four and we’re thrilled with the result. BBC Four is a place where working artists share their ideas and it’s fantastic that we’ve been able to capture this in our marketing. All of the idents will become a permanent part of the BBC Four collection, demonstrating the spirit of creativity that makes the channel so unique.”
Ahead of the BBC Four season kicking off this evening, BBC Arts Online presents a series of short films exploring abstract art:
Abstract Design with Peter Saville - an exclusive film for BBC Arts Online
Legendary designer Peter Saville says abstract art is part of our everyday lives. From Kazimir Malevich and his Black Square through to contemporary product design, he makes the argument that smartphones owe their shape and feel to pioneers of abstraction, via the fundamental building blocks of the Bauhaus and Dieter Rams.
BBC iWonder Guides
There will be new iWonder guides available at bbc.co.uk/iwonder, including:
A timeline of the abstract art movement and three new films on the subject ‘Why can’t a four-year-old paint a Pollock?’ In the films Alastair Sooke visits the Tate Modern to explore what makes Pollock’s work special; he follows pre-school children as they paint in the style of Pollock; and at Chelsea College of Arts he learns about Pollock’s technique with the guidance of artist and lecturer Jeffrey Dennis.
There is also the chance for audiences to try and identify a genuine Pollock painting from a group of four: one by Pollock, one on computer, one by Alastair Sooke and one by one of the four year olds.
The guide also looks at the history and development of Pollock’s style, how fake Pollock works are identified, and the science behind the squiggles including the appearance of mathematical patterns that changed with his technique over time.
Restoring Rothko
As part of the BBC’s ongoing partnership with Tate, BBC Arts Online will host Restoring Rothko, a film made by Tate chronicling the restoration of Rothko’s masterpiece which was vandalised in 2012.
Mark Rothko’s Black on Maroon (1958) went back on public view at Tate Modern in May 2014, following 18 months of intensive work to restore it back to its former glory following its vandalisation.
Fiona Rae
Fiona Rae is one of Britain’s most celebrated painters. Part of the YBA generation of conceptual artists that emerged from Goldsmiths at the end of the 1980s, Rae remained resolutely an abstract painter.
Her work strives to capture something of what it is to live in a contemporary world – to communicate the energy and vitality of the city. She combines flat fields of colour, with intense energetic gestures, often executed in a single definitive stroke.
This film shows Rae as she works on a new series of monochrome works, developing a more spare and stripped down language for her art. Drawing on Chinese calligraphy and the late work of Picasso and de Kooning - these new works explore the possibilities of a series of singular expressive brush strokes.
Soweto Kinch
Soweto Kinch reveals his favourite jazz album covers inspired by abstract art. He explores how each album cover represents the work of the artist, and how the albums fit within the wider jazz scene.
The One Show to reveal Merseyside Mondrian artwork
Inspired by the work of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian - whose most recognised works are abstract paintings of coloured squares, rectangles, and thick black lines – the BBC, Tate Liverpool, Culture Liverpool and Open Culture join forces to create a spectacular artwork on the Pier Head in Liverpool.
Hundreds of volunteers and performers from across Merseyside will gather for the occasion. Some will dance, some will sing, some will dress in matching outfits and others will unveil their own works of art, to help create a mass final artwork inspired by Mondrian.
The big reveal of this living masterpiece, will be filmed for The One Show, airing on Monday 8 September and Tuesday 9 September.
Figuring Out Abstract Art - Free Thinking, BBC Radio 3
On Thursday 11 September, Free Thinking, BBC Radio 3’s arts and ideas programme, presents a special event from Tate Modern as presenter Anne McElvoy leads a debate titled ‘Figuring Out Abstract Art’. Anne will be joined by Baroness Susan Greenfield, artist Fiona Rae, poet Paul Farley and artist and TV presenter Matthew Collings.
BBC Arts Online will host a preview clip of Radio 3's Free Thinking programme on Friday 12 September before the programme airs on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 18 September, 10-10.45pm.
Schedule - BBC Four Goes Abstract: When Art Broke Free
Monday 8 September
- 9pm – Abstract Artists In Their Own Words. Programme information here.
- 10pm – The Rules Of Abstraction with Matthew Collings.
Tuesday 9 September
- 10pm - The Russian Revolutionary: Zaha Hadid on Kazimir Malevich. Programme information here.
- 10.30pm - Simon Schama’s Power Of Art: Rothko
Wednesday 10 September
- 10pm - Polka Dot Superstar: The Amazing World Of Yayoi Kusama. Programme information here.
- 11pm – Kusama’s: Self Obliteration. Programme information here.
BBC archive abstract art programmes available exclusively on BBC iPlayer
BBC Four has dug deep into the BBC archives and selected seven documentaries exploring some of the most famous abstract artists. These archive programmes will be permanently available to view on BBC iPlayer from 9pm on the 8 September 2014.
BARBARA HEPWORTH (17-Sep-61)
A film, set in the Cornish landscape, about the world-famous sculptress Barbara Hepworth.
ARTISTS ON FILM: SCENES FROM WORKING LIVES (12-Apr-64)
A focus on abstract artists, including William Hayter, Patrick Heron, Victor Pasmore, John Hoyland and Anthony Caro.
ARENA - SIX DAYS IN SEPTEMBER (29-Sep-79)
Arena profiles John Hoyland, seen by many as England's finest abstract painter.
WOMEN OF OUR CENTURY - PAULE VEZELAY (27-Jul-84)
Germaine Greer interviews pioneer abstract artist Paule Vezelay.
ARENA - HENRY MOORE (07-Sep-86)
John Read shares his personal memories of the artist he filmed six times over 28 years.
IMAGINE - A PICTURE OF THE PAINTER HOWARD HODGKIN (13-Jun-06)
Alan Yentob and Sir Howard Hodgkin travel to India to visit locations which have inspired Hodgkin since the 1960s.
IMAGINE - THE YEAR OF ANISH KAPOOR (17-Nov-09)
Alan Yentob follows renowned sculptor Anish Kapoor as he prepares for his biggest challenge to date - a solo exhibition occupying the entire Royal Academy gallery.
Notes to Editors
BBC Four’s abstract idents were commissioned by BBC Four with LUX, an international arts agency.
VAA/SH6
