Programme Details

Contemporary art revisited in Robert Hughes's The New Shock of the New; novelist Philip Hensher on his latest book, The Fit; the rewriting of India 's history books.

Twenty-five years ago, art critic Robert Hughes presented his groundbreaking television series on modern art, The Shock of the New , identifying those twentieth century artists whose names would live on - Matisse , Pollock, de Kooning , Picasso . Now, a quarter of a century later, Robert Hughes has returned to re-examine the world of contemporary art. In The New Shock of the New, Hughes argues that much visual art today is driven by the market and is far more concerned with unsettling its viewers, rather than creating a long-lasting resonance. The work of artists such as Jeff Koons and Tracey Emin is dismissed as grotesque and solipsistic. Only a handful of artists such as Paula Rego earn Hughes's admiration. Yet how accurate is this portrayal of the contemporary art world? Hasn't new art always shocked? Or are today's artists indeed driven by ever growing commercial demands, and a desire to shock for shock's sake? On Night Waves tonight, Isabel Hilton will be joined by the critic Sarah Kent and the artist Deanna Petherbridge to explore these questions and to discuss The New Shock of The New.

Also tonight, Isabel Hilton speaks to the writer Philip Hensher about his latest novel, The Fit , a comic exploration of love and marriage. Plus, why is the Indian government re-writing its school history textbooks? Journalist William Dalrymple explains the secular nationalist project underway in India which will overturn the version of history laid out by the previous right-wing Hindu government.




PRODUCTION DETAILS -

The New Shock of the New , presented by Robert Hughes, is on BBC2 on Saturday 3 rd July at 9pm .

The Fit by Philip Hensher is published by Fourth Estate.