The Shock of the New, Vol 2 Written and Presented By Robert Hughes (Video Tape: 52 Minutes) (The BBC's Provocative Series on Modern Life)

Vol. 2, Vol. 5, and Vol. 7: 3 Video Tapes. Vol 2: Dada and Expressionism were set against the collapse of Germany after World War I. The Avant-gardes energies were about to be used in service of real political resolutions." Vol 5: Surrealism was the last revolutionary art movement of the 20th century, much like a religion. Dali, Miro, Magritte were striving to liberate the unconscious mind through fantasy/reality." Vol 7: In the mid-20th century, symbols of modern culture reflecting the power of mass media, advertising, radio and television, became subjects for artists. Pop art exploded onto the scene." The sequel to the BBC's Civilization series, this picks up at the threshold of the 20th Century. It is written and presented by Robert Hughes, art critic and senior writer for Time. Hughes draws on a wealth of documentary materials from the archives of the BBC, including rare footage and interviews with noted artists. The range of major figures includes Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, le Corbusier, Max Ernst, Francis Bacon and Jackson Pollock.