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August 14, 2000 Contact: Steve Anderson (214) 740-9283 PBS PREMIERE OF KERAíS ëMATISSE & PICASSOí AIRS SEPT. 20  The paintings of Henri Matisse have been called masterpieces of 20th century art. So too, those of Pablo Picasso ñ powerful, inventive, uncompromising. Placed together, side by side, these works tell a remarkable tale of two rivals who found inspiration in each other. Over nearly half a century, the two men challenged each other with paintings and sculptures that have left an indelible impression in the annals of contemporary art. «Matisse & Picasso,» airing on PBS on Wednesday, September 20, 2000 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern (check local listings), offers compelling portraits of two of the 20th centuryís greatest artists and the gentle rivalry that spurred each man to higher levels of achievement. KERAís first high-definition television (HDTV) documentary, inspired by the Fort Worth (Texas) Kimbell Art Museumís exclusive exhibition, «Matisse & Picasso: A Gentle Rivalry,» brings together for the first time several key, visually compelling examples of the ongoing «game of chess» between two masters. Through historical photographs, spectacular, high-definition footage of rarely seen paintings, and apt critiques and comparisons of the paintersí works, the program reveals the unmatched inspiration that each man found in the art and intelligence of the other. The 30-minute documentary includes interviews from Yve-Alain Bois, renowned art historian, Harvard professor, and guest curator for the Kimbell exhibition; and Rick Brettell, an independent curator and professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. The story also includes astute and sometimes surprising observations about both artists by Picassoís companion for eight years, artist and author, FranÁoise Gilot. The program begins in 1907 in Paris, where Matisseís Blue Nude shocks the art world by breaking with traditional form and use of color; soon afterwards, Picasso responds with the equally shocking Les Demoiselles díAvignon. The painting is Picassoís statement against tradition and a way to ñ in his words ñ «break away from beauty, from Ö sentimentality.» The work challenges Matisse, and lays down the gauntlet for a lifetime of competitive taunting and prodding which eventually deepens into respectful acknowledgement, and a lifelong exchange of visual ideas. The program tracks the arc of Matisseís career: the acclaim he experienced in his thirties and forties as an undisputed master who painted with unbridled freedom; an unproductive period when he could find no inspiration; and, with the arrival of Cubism, Surrealism and political upheaval in Europe, the sneering disregard of artís avant garde who considered him an anachronism. Through it all, Picasso recognizes the enduring mastery of Matisseís art and, over several decades continues to inspire Matisse to produce some of his best work. Matisse, for his part, is equal to the challenge and continually surprises Picasso with his insight, subtlety, and strength of personality. «No one has ever looked at the paintings of Henri Matisse more carefully than I,» said Picasso, «and no one has looked at mine more carefully than he.» As Matisseís health begins to fail, the program paints a picture of a deep and enduring friendship built on the exchange of work, mutual respect, and artistic nourishment each man found in the other. Finally, the program explores the work Picasso produces after the death of Matisse, a moving expression of his sorrow and a tribute to a friendship that began in rivalry and became a driving force behind two of the greatest of modern masters. «Matisse & Picasso» is narrated by Salome Jens, a veteran stage and screen actress. Miguel Ferrer, a distinguished television and screen actor and voice performer, is the voice of Pablo Picasso. Television actor Robert Clary is the voice of Henri Matisse, and, providing the voice for Fran¡oise Gilot is stage and screen actress GeneviËve Bujold. «Matisse & Picasso» is produced by KERAís award-winning documentary team of Co-Producers/Directors Rob Tranchin and Ginny Martin, whose work includes a recent national Emmy for the four-part PBS series, «The U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848)»; Producer Joe Bellotti; Executive Producer Rick Thompson; and Executive-in-Charge Sylvia Komatsu. «Matisse & Picasso» is a production of KERA-Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton in association with the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas. The program is funded in part by a grant from The Forrest C. Lattner Foundation, and by PBS.
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