PBS Video Traces Selfie History Through Art
A video produced by PBS Digital Studios for the series The Art Assignment explores the history of the selfie by linking contemporary self-portraiture to artistic precedents. Curator Sarah Green traces the genre from early 19th-century photographs to works by Ai Weiwei, Andy Warhol, Francesca Woodman, Cindy Sherman, and Vivian Maier. The video examines self-portraiture's implications: personality affirmation, gender identity investigation, diary-like intention, and protest. Green argues that while not all selfies are art, some artworks can be considered selfies, and the creative experimentation history offers insight into today's trend.
Key facts
- Video produced by PBS Digital Studios for The Art Assignment series.
- Curated by Sarah Green.
- Traces selfie history from early 19th-century photographs to contemporary artists.
- Features Ai Weiwei, Andy Warhol, Francesca Woodman, Cindy Sherman, Vivian Maier.
- Explores themes: personality affirmation, gender identity, diary, protest.
- Argues not all selfies are art, but some artworks are selfies.
- Selfie became popular with smartphones and front-facing cameras.
- Video connects contemporary selfie mania to art history precedents.
Entities
Artists
- Ai Weiwei
- Andy Warhol
- Francesca Woodman
- Cindy Sherman
- Vivian Maier
- Valentina Tanni
Institutions
- PBS Digital Studios
- The Art Assignment
- Artribune