“Creativity is spirituality looking for a form. It is a quest of the human spirit to find somehow a way of flowing with the universal pulse that runs through all things.”
These are the words of Sam Feinstein, the artist and master teacher featured in this film. Feinstein discusses the nature of art, the logic of the visual language, and, especially, the art of abstraction as he responds to questions posed to him in front of his paintings by fellow artist Harry Holl, gallery owner, and film producer Paul Fitzgerald.
There are two versions here; On the top (left) is the original one-hour video converted from DVD. On the bottom (right) is a 12-minute excerpt with some of the videoed paintings replaced with updated still photos.
PLAYBACK HINT: Click on “<” in the bottom right corner and then select full screen mode (4 arrows pointing to screen corners).
Sam Feinstein’s 1986 exhibition at the Scargo Pottery Gallery in Dennis, MA, after years of urging by gallery-owner Harry Holl, was a much-anticipated event. Feinstein had shown his paintings extensively during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s in New York, Philadelphia, and Provincetown as his work evolved from realism to a depth-pervaded, radiant abstraction. He was active in the “art world” as critic, juror, writer, lecturer, and teacher, and made a historic film about Hans Hofmann that premiered at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In 1960, Feinstein withdrew from exhibiting to concentrate solely on his painting and private teaching. Here is Feinstein’s first show in 25 years, its setting in Harry Holl’s beautiful gallery and an interview with the artist about his work and philosophy of art.
Produced by Paul Fitzgerald © 2008
Video by Jim Schermerhorn/Route 6A Productions
Editing by Paul Fitzgerald and Jim Schermerhorn
Music by Archie Shepp and William Ackerman