American Masters

The time Twyla Tharp pushed David Byrne to his limits

In 1981, Twyla Tharp commissioned David Byrne of the Talking Heads to write music for a Broadway show featuring Tharp's modern choreography. Not only did Tharp push the well-trained dancers to their limits, she pushed David Byrne, he says, more than anyone had before.

The time Twyla Tharp pushed David Byrne to his limits

2m 58s

  • Dear Corky: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Dear Corky

    16m 27s

    New Yorker Corky Lee photographed his hometown’s Chinatown and Asian American communities around the country for over 50 years, documenting activists, celebrities and everyday heroes he encountered in over 100,000 photos. While documenting the latest rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, Lee passed away from COVID-19. In his own words and photos, this short documentary reveals the man behind the camera.

  • Jerry Seinfeld on his place in American sitcom history: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Jerry Seinfeld on his place in American sitcom history

    16m 1s

    On August 13, 2008, comedian Jerry Seinfeld discussed his collaboration with Larry David, the evolution of the American sitcom and the lure of stand-up comedy. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).

  • Weaving Nature: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Weaving Nature

    18m 39s

    Maryland artist David Bacharach creates "The Mounds," an outdoor arts installation that confronts global climate change. Bacharach employs traditional weaving and metalsmithing techniques to build sculptures that reflect environmental problems that impact land, air and water. This synthesis of art and nature illustrates the interconnectedness of human activity and environmental degradation.

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