The twentieth century was dominated by forward thinking, creative people who looked to art and invention to better the world. “Creative Minds of the Twentieth Century,” celebrates artists, painters, writers, composers, inventors, and business people of a century marked by leaps and bounds in progress. It is a lasting tribute to creative minds of the past as well as a source of inspiration to a new generation of creative minds.
Included Films:
From Dreams to Reality - A Tribute to Minority Inventors
From Dreams to Reality – A Tribute to Minority Inventors
Produced: 1986
Length: 27 Minutes
“From Dreams to Reality – A Tribute to Minority Inventors,” highlights the inventions of African American and women inventors. Ossie Davis hosts the documentary, focusing on the inventions, but also showing the patent office’s job of recording inventions for the future.
Copland Portrait
Copland Portrait
Produced: 1975
Length: 30 Minutes
Five Artists
Five Artists
Produced: 1971
Length: 30 Minutes
“Five Artists,” highlights five African American artists Charles White, a painter, Romare Bearden, a collage artist, Barbara Chase-Riboud, a sculptor living in France, Richard Hunt, a sculptor from Chicago, and Betty Blayton director of the Moma Art School in Harlem. All have found their own unique ways to express their creativity and have hurtled barriers to follow their passions. How they go about creating their work, what inspires them, their viewpoints on life and race, and serves, ultimately, as a beautiful portrait on expressive contemporary art and sculpture.
In a Dark Time
In a Dark Time
Produced: 1964
Length: 26 Minutes
Language has no greater rhythm than the metered lines found in poetry. “In a Dark Time,” focuses on the poetry created by Theodore Roethke, an American poet from Michigan, who won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 for his book, The Walking. Roethke reads his own poetry, including a piece titled, In a Dark Time, and talks about his life and how it relates to the poetry he writes. His principal point is that poets should reveal every aspect of their nature, including the bad, and barriers should be broken down in favor of creating meaningful art. An interesting look at a complex and often troubled man whose poetry lives on and whose passion for the written word and nature transcends time.
Interview with Isaac Asimov
Interview with Isaac Asimov
Produced: 1975
Length: 24 Minutes
Isaac Asimov was an immensely popular science fiction writer who was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having 500 books, short stories, and articles, which he either edited or wrote. “Interview with Isaac Asimov,” interviews the author and biochemist on a wide variety of topics. He discusses his book series, “Fantastic Voyage,” and how he sees the future of Earth. How science fiction is limited to the author’s imagination, current technology and the evolution of science fiction, create other fascinating discussion. Simon Borden hosts the program.
Levi Strauss and Company - People and Denim
Levi Strauss and Company – People and Denim
Produced: 1976
Length: 27 Minutes
Levi Strauss, a Bavarian immigrant to California, had humble beginnings in the goldmines of California selling fabric to miners for tents. But, seeing a need for durable, reliable, pants he filled a necessity resulting in a business that has stood the tests of time. “Levi Strauss and Company – People and Denim,” documents the 125 year old company whose dedication to its employees, customers, and quality goods is unsurpassable. Host Tim White talks with the Vice President, Manager, and Chief Designer for the children’s department discussing the evolution of the company, the different products available, affirmative action, global marketing, profit sharing, and labor relations.
