Spit Earth: Who is Jordan Wolfson?

Spit Earth: Who is Jordan Wolfson? Is a thrilling 2020 documentary that dives deep into the life and career of the provocative artist Jordan Wolfson. Directed by James Crump and featuring starring contributors Jack Bankowsky, Andrianna Campbell-LaFleur, and Jeffrey Deitch, this film offers viewers a comprehensive view of a truly enigmatic figure in the contemporary art world. Bristling and provocative, Spit Earth: Who is Jordan Wolfson? is not just a documentary about an artist, but also a reflection on the nature of art and its impact on society.

The documentary takes its title from one of Wolfson’s most controversial installations. Jordan Wolfson's work, notorious for its eerie confrontation of identity and contemporary socio-cultural anxieties, serves as the film’s central theme. Utilizing the artist's thought-provoking pieces and interviews with art industry luminaries, Spit Earth provides insights into a man who uses his art to provoke dialogue and make viewers contemplate their preconceived notions of the world.

The film sets out on a complex narrative path, weaving a tale that's compelling, disconcerting, and full of surprising moments. Jack Bankowsky, Art Critic, and Artforum Editor plays an integral role as commentator and analyser of Wolfson's work, offering scholarly insights on the place of Wolfson's pieces in the canon of contemporary art. Campbell-LaFleur, a prominent academic and art critic, provides the critical socio-cultural context necessary to understand and analyze Wolfson’s work. Jeffrey Deitch, a powerhouse in the contemporary art world known for his unique approach to showcasing art, contributes his vast knowledge of art history and personal experience in dealing with groundbreaking artists.

Featured prominently in the film are Wolfson's signature art installations, which range from uncanny life-like mannequins to dystopian multimedia installations fraught with symbolism. It shows how Wolfson's art not only encapsulates the human psyche but also throbs with the pulse of contemporary events.

The film collects a range of voices that act as guides through Wolfson's unconventional body of work. Each contributor offers their own expertise in dissecting the symbol-loaded landscape of his art, creating a multi-perspective dialogue rather than a monologue narration about the artist's life and work. Excerpts from past interviews with Wolfson himself not only develop a sense of proximity to the artist but also provide a direct line to his thoughts, ideas, and creative interpretations, adding depth to the narrative structure of the film.

Structured as a deep dive into the realm of modern art through the lens of one of its most controversial figures, Spit Earth: Who is Jordan Wolfson? explores the role of disturbing and discomforting art in society. It offers a visual and conceptual tour de force that engages viewers to think about art, its creators, and its viewers in unexpected ways. It compellingly unravels the complex interweaving threads of artistry, exhibition, reception, and critique, across the multi-faceted platform of contemporary art.

Moreover, the film succeeds in avoiding an overtly formulaic routine of biography or a clear-cut hero/villain narrative. Instead, it presents Wolfson as a dynamic entity, complexly woven into the fabric of the contemporary art world. It's a careful balancing act - a film that’s as introspective, thought-provoking, and challenging as the art and artist it seeks to explore.

Beautifully produced with high-quality cinematography, Spit Earth: Who is Jordan Wolfson? captivates viewers through its mesmerizing screenings of Wolfson's art, which are intercut with the personal and professional perspectives of those who know his work best.

Whether you’re a devoted patron of the arts, or simply intrigued by the notion of an artist deliberately pushing social boundaries, Spit Earth: Who is Jordan Wolfson? is a captivating exploration of the enigmatic entity that is Jordan Wolfson. While it doesn’t chase to offer definitive answers, the documentary thoughtfully navigates the layers of ambiguity that surround Wolfson's controversial figure and art, leaving viewers with an enriched understanding of the potency of contemporary art and its most challenging creators.