Speaking of Abstraction: A Universal Language poster

Movie

Speaking of Abstraction: A Universal Language

199948m

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, abstraction - that most quintessentially modernist innovation - maintains a peculiarly contradictory position. Used, on one hand, by post-modernist artists as just one more quotable style amongst many, it is on the other hand still considered an elitist or hermetic language by audiences intimidated by its lack of recognizable subject matter. Yet ultimately, abstraction continues to be a viable creative path for contemporary artists of all generations, many of whom embrace it as the most inclusive and fundamentally resonant of artistic languages. Filmed at the artists' studios, the Dia Center for the Arts, and the Guggenheim Museum during their exhibition, "Abstraction in the Twentieth Century."

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Speaking of Abstraction: A Universal Language opened in theaters January 1, 1999. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, abstraction - that most quintessentially modernist innovation - maintains a peculiarly contradictory position. Used, on one hand, by post-modernist artists as just one more quotable style amongst many, it is on the other hand still considered an elitist or hermetic language by audiences intimidated by its lack of recognizable subject matter. Yet ultimately, abstraction continues to be a viable creative path for contemporary artists of all generations, many of whom embrace it as the most inclusive and fundamentally resonant of artistic languages. Filmed at the artists' studios, the Dia Center for the Arts, and the Guggenheim Museum during their exhibition, "Abstraction in the Twentieth Century."

More about Speaking of Abstraction: A Universal Language

Cast

Helmut FederleHimself
Günther FörgHimself
Jonathan LaskerHimself
Robert MangoldHimself
Brice MardenHimself
Gerhard RichterHimself
Richard SerraHimself
Philip TaaffeHimself

Credits

Directed by
Michael Blackwood
Written by
Sasha Newman

Production details

Status
Released
Original language
English

Production

  • Michael Blackwood Productions

Themes

abstractabstract expressionismpaintingpost modernism