Recording Artists

Check out the newest season of Recording Artists, hosted by actor, artist, and futurist Ahmed Best. Explore the Getty archives and learn about the innovative art-science group Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) in season three, out now.

This first episode of the season features Robert Rauschenberg, weaving archival recordings of the artist with new interviews by MoMA chief curator at large and publisher Michelle Kuo and cognitive-studies scientist Xiaodong Lin-Siegler.

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Artist Fujiko Nakaya is best known for her ethereal sculptures made with fog. But her very first fog sculpture, which kicked off decades of working with this unusual and highly technical material, came about almost by chance—and thanks to her ties to Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.). At 91, Nakaya is still making fog sculptures that compel audiences to consider the environment and our impact on it in new ways.

In this third and final episode, we trace the development of Nakaya’s iconic sculpture and explore what it can teach us about environmental and social justice. We also investigate E.A.T.’s relevance and legacy, from the 1960s to Silicon Valley. Archival interviews with Nakaya and commentary from art historian Eva Díaz and contemporary artist Tomás Saraceno round out the episode.

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Laser physicist Billy Klüver had always been interested in art. So when he started working at Bell Labs in New Jersey in the late 1950s, he began going into Manhattan and meeting artists—and in short order he was collaborating with them. He co-founded Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.) to facilitate these partnerships and worked to find corporate sponsors, with mixed success.

In this second episode of the season, we get to know Klüver’s role as a kind of translator and middleman between artists and engineers, and learn about E.A.T.’s partnership with PepsiCo at the 1970 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Archival lectures by Klüver and commentary from communications professor Fred Turner and composer and musician Evan Ziporyn, who runs the Center for Art, Science and Technology at MIT, help tell this story.

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Robert Rauschenberg is one of the best-known artists of the 20th century, in part because he never stopped exploring new mediums and styles. His work with new technology, however, is often overlooked. In 1960, a chance meeting with Bell Labs engineer Billy Klüver led them to eventually co-found Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.), a nonprofit that paired artists with scientists and engineers to use the most cutting-edge new technologies. But E.A.T.’s projects were not always a critical success.

In this first episode of the season, we explore how artists and scientists approach experimentation, failure, and perseverance in similar ways and hear about a watershed event, 9 Evenings: Theatre & Engineering. Alongside archival interviews with Rauschenberg, MoMA chief curator at large and publisher Michelle Kuo and cognitive-studies scientist Xiaodong Lin-Siegler weigh in.

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The Getty Patron Program is a proud sponsor of this podcast.

Additional music from “Variations VII” written by John Cage courtesy of Henmar Press, Inc.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime embarks on a journey to uncover the life and legacy of avant-garde composer Julius Eastman. Through conversations with those who knew him, Jaime explores how Eastman’s bold compositions challenged the boundaries of minimalist music, blending classical rigor with raw emotion and cultural defiance.

Jaime dives into the compelling story of Julius Eastman, a Black, openly gay composer who revolutionized minimalist music in the 1970s and ’80s.

With interviews from key figures in Eastman’s life, like his brother Gerry Eastman and music archivist Mary Jane Leach, Jaime pieces together Eastman’s complex legacy. Through this intimate portrait, season one of ReCurrent wraps up by revealing how art can serve as both a reflection of identity and a powerful means of breaking through boundaries.

For a full list of credits and to find additional resources, visit Getty Podcasts.

In season three of Recording Artists, artist and futurist Ahmed Best examines the groundbreaking art-science organization Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.). Through the stories of E.A.T.’s co-founders, artist Robert Rauschenberg and Bell Labs engineer Billy Klüver, as well as artist Fujiko Nakaya, who continues to make technology-inflected artworks, this season investigates how artists and engineers collaborated to explore the creative potential of new technologies. Learn about this innovative group through audio from Getty’s archives and commentary by contemporary artists, scientists, and art historians. Coming October 8, 2024.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime visits the ancient and tranquil landscape of Wupatki National Monument in Arizona. Immersed in the natural beauty and rich history of this sacred site, Jaime reflects on his personal connection to the land, a place his late mother once cherished. His journey also delves into the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Wupatki for the ancestral Puebloan people.

This episode highlights the ongoing efforts to protect Wupatki’s legacy, ensuring that the stories, traditions, and spiritual connections of this remarkable place continue to inspire future generations.

For a full list of credits and to find additional information on Wupatki and the programs mentioned in the episode, visit Getty Podcasts.

In this episode of Recurrent, host and producer Jaime Roque delves into the rich cultural heritage of Pacoima's community barbershops, starting with StylesVille Barber Shop and Beauty Salon. Through conversations with Greg Faucett, a second-generation barber, Jaime uncovers how these spaces function as cultural hubs, preserving traditions and fostering deep community bonds. The episode not only explores the history of StylesVille but also reflects on Jaime’s own experiences with barbershops, from his high school years to adulthood, emphasizing their role as sanctuaries of history, culture, and personal connection.

ReCurrent illustrates the vital role barbershops play in maintaining cultural continuity and supporting community identity.

Find out more about the barbershops mentioned in the episode and see a full list of credits at Getty Podcasts.

On this episode of ReCurrent, Jaime Roque explores the music and instruments of the Florentine Codex, a 16th-century manuscript that recorded the life and culture of Mesoamerica at the time.

A family home video floods host Jaime Roque with memories and emotions as he recounts how on that particular day, his love of music was sparked.

This week, we're exploring the rich and resonant history of music from our past and how it continues to resonate with us today.

Learn more about the Digital Florentine Codex.

To see photos of the instruments discussed and to learn more about this episode, its guests, and more visit Getty Podcasts.

On this episode of Recurrent, Jaime Roque explores the hidden story of América Tropical, a mural painted by Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1932 on Olvera Street, Los Angeles. Commissioned to depict an idyllic tropical scene, Siqueiros instead delivered a politically charged image featuring a crucified indigenous figure overshadowed by an American eagle, sparking immediate controversy and eventual censorship. Jaime interviews local historians and community members, delving into the mural’s impact on cultural identity and its role in inspiring the Chicano mural movement.

As Jaime walks through Boyle Heights, he discusses the effects of gentrification and mural whitewashing with local poet and activist Viva Padilla, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to preserve cultural heritage. Reflecting on how public art serves as both a canvas for resistance and a means of education, Jaime and his guests explore the resilience of cultural memory in urban spaces. This episode not only uncovers the story of a censored artwork but also invites listeners to consider the broader implications of art in shaping and maintaining community identity.

Learn more at Getty Podcasts