BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
Peer into his life as an artist, and into his sculpture and painting studio and ceramic art classroom
The Collaboration
The collaboration for this series began in 2014 when Arthur invited Isaac Pingree to his Alameda art studio to show Isaac the early stages of an attempt to reconstruct a sculpture that had smashed into hundreds of pieces. The production began that day and the intermittent filming continued over the next 7 years, as Isaac followed Arthur to exhibits, classrooms, and all around his studio.
The Series
The series delves into the process and philosophy that sustains and undergirds Arthur’s immense body of work. While Arthur’s work has been described as “dark, somber and foreboding,” the documentary’s tone alternates between meditative and instructional, and we hope the series is an accessible and inspiring look into the day-to-day work of a singular ceramic artist.
The Filmmaker
The “Broken Magic” series is the work of Bay Area filmmaker Isaac Pingree, a producer and director of both feature films and short form content. Over the past fifteen years, Isaac’s eclectic output has played in festivals across the country from San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival to New York City’s Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, and his features have been distributed internationally. Isaac’s most recent feature length documentary is about the late singer/songwriter Bob Frank, distributed by Light In the Attic Records, it has been praised in the Nashville Scene, Spin Magazine, Goldmine Magazine, Mojo Magazine, Aquarium Drunkard, and Ugly Things.
"Can’t wait to experience the documentary!" —Brad Miller
"Brilliant!" —Melissa Stern
"Fabulous! I want to see the whole series!!" —Kathy Ruttenberg
"Can’t wait to experience the documentary!" —Brad Miller "Brilliant!" —Melissa Stern "Fabulous! I want to see the whole series!!" —Kathy Ruttenberg
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 1
This is the beginning of a nine part series that sheds light on Arthur's studio practice, encompassing the ups and downs of the ritual of creativity.
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 2
Journey out of the studio and into a solo show at Fresno City College where concepts and techniques meet symbols and metaphors.
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 3
Returning back to the studio and updating the repair of "200 pieces", and the retelling of Arthur's original philosophy of the importance of freedom within the creative process.
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 4
With the aid of a one part hand mold, Arthur reflects on times of childhood and the handbuilding procedures of construction and deconstruction. One hand from a mold and the other made from "scratch".
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 5
The process of reconstitution is the theme of this episode. From the discarded bits of former clay sculptures rising again for new works, to the coalescence of shards that begin to breathe once more.
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 6
Taking a break from repairing, the artist "repairs" to the studio and addresses a sculpture in need of that "Je ne sais quoi".
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 7
Layers, layers and layers. Of paint and meaning. In this episode, we find how the sense of touch is an important stage toward sentient art.
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 8
In this episode we learn the story of Arthur's Open Books, a series born in graduate school as a method to create a new language with found objects. Also the secret method of how to float objects in thin air.
BROKEN MAGIC
the work of Arthur González
episode 9
Attend the reception at the John Natsoulas Gallery, and watch the re-meeting of two sculptures with an awkward past. Here is the conclusion and final episode of Isaac Pingree's docu-series Broken Magic.
"These videos are the best❤️!" —Victoria Christen
"Oh I love this Arthur TV!!!!" —Austyn Taylor
"You are such a good storyteller!" —Laura Van Duren
"These are fabulous :)" —Tom Franco
"These videos are the best❤️!" —Victoria Christen "Oh I love this Arthur TV!!!!" —Austyn Taylor "You are such a good storyteller!" —Laura Van Duren "These are fabulous :)" —Tom Franco