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Who Gets to Call It Art?

Play trailer Poster for Who Gets to Call It Art? Released Oct 21, 2005 1h 18m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This documentary explores the iconoclastic life of museum curator Henry Geldzahler. A voice in the wilderness during the 1960s, Geldzahler champions the work of pop artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, who are not highly accepted in the art scene. Through footage from the era and interviews with artists, the film reveals Geldzahler's contributions to the art world -- including his landmark exhibition "New York Painting and Sculpture: 1940-1970" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Critics Reviews

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Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Shot with a Peter Greenaway-like austere impudence and edited brilliantly (by Jed Parker), this is an entertaining movie, and a moving one -- even if, like me, you're not especially fond of these paintings or that scene. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 22, 2006 Full Review Sheila Farr Seattle Times With its snappy, even hectic editing and great archival footage, Who Gets to Call It Art? is loads of fun to watch. Rated: 3/4 Mar 3, 2006 Full Review Noel Murray AV Club Rosen covers a lot of ground in 80 minutes, and he's picked the right subject to focus on. Rated: B+ Feb 16, 2006 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Who Gets to Call It Art? is an entertaining look at an important period in America's aesthetic life. As biography, it falls short--and the first act is a little baggy--but as a snapshot of a colorful scene, it gets the job done. Rated: 3/4 Sep 16, 2024 Full Review Kam Williams Upstage Magazine You are likely to enjoy this bio-pic to the extent that you buy into the idea that one effete snob ought to define an aesthetic for the rest of us slobs. Rated: 2/4 May 28, 2007 Full Review Maria Garcia Film Journal International Can be enjoyed as a quick overview of the contemporary American art scene. Mar 1, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A historically significant look into the kaleidoscope that was the New York School of Art from 1955-1985. Hanging the story around Henry Geldzahler curatorial work was a unique way to approach a massive subject. Unfortunately the heart of the story - Geldzahler's personality, desire and conflcts - was not developed enough for me to really enter his world. You could argue form mirrors content, but I thought the art had more soul and depth than the film. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member an amazing tribute to a man who helped change the way we look at art. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Really amazing documentary about mid-century modern art! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member A fun tribute to a significant figure in the art world who never lost sight of the artists themselves - worth watching! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Great introduction to those who are truly interested in the subject. Art historians in particular will delight in the fact that this film exists. It will help to already be familiar with the story of Henry Geldzahler because newbies will have trouble keeping up, as I noted from the constant wall-glaring, eye-rolling and sighing of my viewing partner. If you are willing to be educated, you won't be disappointed--as far as its audience, it hits the target. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Pretty interesting little piece of art. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Who Gets to Call It Art?

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Rosen

Director

Peter Rosen

Producer

Cathy Price

Executive Producer

Karl Katz

Executive Producer

Beth Rudin DeWoody

Executive Producer

Jonathan Rho

Cinematographer

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Who Gets to Call It Art?

A scene from the film "Who Gets to Call It Art?" A scene from the film "Who Gets to Call It Art?" A scene from the film "Who Gets to Call It Art?" A scene from the film "Who Gets to Call It Art?" A scene from the film "Who Gets to Call It Art?" View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary explores the iconoclastic life of museum curator Henry Geldzahler. A voice in the wilderness during the 1960s, Geldzahler champions the work of pop artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, who are not highly accepted in the art scene. Through footage from the era and interviews with artists, the film reveals Geldzahler's contributions to the art world -- including his landmark exhibition "New York Painting and Sculpture: 1940-1970" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Director
Peter Rosen
Producer
Peter Rosen
Production Co
Peter Rosen Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 21, 2005, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Feb 1, 2006
Release Date (DVD)
May 23, 2006
Box Office (Gross USA)
$27.3K
Runtime
1h 18m