Taped: 11/01/2003 Running Time: 0:30

French arts magazine (in French.)

THE AGE OF WATTEAU, CHARDIN, AND FRAGONARD
The 18th century was a revolutionary age in more ways than one. Traditionally the most prestigious paintings were of historical subjects. But we all want to see our own world. The rapid rise in popularity of peinture de genre (genre painting) followed that impulse. Scenes of life from the countryside to the royal court became fashionable and widely available. A major exhibit at the National Gallery of Art gives an overview of this impressive tradition that wasn't afraid to tell a story or shed a tear. Senior curator Philip Conisbee is CANAPE's faithful guide into the territory.

THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
“Every family is unhappy in its own way,” goes the famous phrase. Generational conflict is nothing new, but the latest version is the tension between aging 60s activists and their conservative children now reaching middle age. The new dramatic film The Barbarian Invasions by Deny Arcand is already a hit in its native French Canada as well as with the folks who speak the other language up there. The director talks to CANAPE about what his film tells us about our neighbors to the North and about ourselves.

VICTOR BRAUNER
While Picasso and Matisse were the beacons of Parisian modernism, their light spread in many directions. Born in Romania in 1903, Victor Brauner settled in Paris in 1930. By then he had worked in styles that ranged in influences from Cezanne to the expressionists to Dada. His creativity continued to move in multiple directions until his death in 1966. His later works included references to Taro cards, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Mexican codices. CANAPE takes a look at the new exhibit at Ubu Gallery dedicated to this Romanian in Paris.

SHAN SA
Recently, whose first two novels won the prestigious Prix Goncourt and Prix Cazes in France? Shan Sa is the answer. But isn't that a Chinese name? Yes, because she's Chinese but lives in France and writes in French. Her third novel The Girl Who Played Go, now translated into English, gives Americans a chance to know the narrative art of this multilingual young writer. In Manchuria in the 1930s a young girl comes of age as the Japanese invade her land. Shan Sa visits CANAPE to tell us more.

BEYOND THE FRAME: IMPRESSIONISM REVISITED
Did you ever love an Impressionist painting so much you just wanted to step into the frame? You're not alone. The popular and controversial sculptor Seward Johnson feels the same way and has done something about it. In a big way. The current exhibit at the Corcoran Gallery Beyond the Frame: Impressionism Revisited chronicles the artist's quest to open the two dimensional into the three dimensional. Chief Curator Jacqulyn D. Serwer joins CANAPE in the canvas.

FEATURED/GUESTS:

Denys Arcand
Film Director

Adan J. Boxer
Owner, Ubu Gallery

Philip Conisbee
Senior Curator

Shan Sa
Author

Jacquelyn D. Serwer
Chief Curator

CUNY TV AIR DATES:

12/06/2003:08:00PM-08:30PM