The 100 Years Show

The 100 Years Show is a thought-provoking documentary film that was released in 2015. The film brings into the spotlight the life of Carmen Herrera, an intriguing figure in the world of contemporary art. Herrera, a Cuban-American abstract artist, is celebrated in the film for achieving success in the art industry after turning 100 years old. The film offers a remarkable exploration of Herrera's life, highlighting her journey as an artist, her unwavering determination in the face of numerous challenges, and her inspiring perspective towards her art and life in general.

Directed by Alison Klayman, The 100 Years Show serves to tribute Carmen Herrera who was largely unrecognized in the competitive world of art for almost seven decades. The film emphasizes the unjust fact that despite the brilliance and allure of her work, her talent was substantially overlooked for so long due to her being a woman and an immigrant. Showcasing snippets from Herrera’s past and present, it unfurls the artist's career progression while constantly connecting it to the broader socio-cultural context of the time.

The documentary provides a distinct narrative of undeniable hope and perseverance in the form of Carmen Herrera’s life. Born in Havana, Cuba in the year 1915, Carmen defied the conventional norms of gender and race that dominated the 21st-century art world. Chasing her dreams, she embarked on her artistic journey around the mid-20th century. Living between Cuba, France, and the United States, the artist's work found inspiration in the corners of each of these cultures, interweaving them beautifully in her creations.

Herrera is renowned for her distinct minimalist style, using vibrant colors and sharp angles that created a sophisticated interplay between lines and spaces. Her iconic, hard-edged geometric compositions are often detailed with pigments that have been meticulously applied. In the documentary, the viewer traverses the emotionally engaging and aesthetically delightful path that Herrera undertook to polish her skills and refine her style.

The filmmaker tastefully combined elements of Herrera's personal life with her professional journey in The 100 Years Show. Thumbnails from her past explore her early years, her marriage to an English teacher Jesse Loewenthal, their life in Paris, and their eventual relocation to New York. Klayman strategically captures moments from Herrera's simple yet enriched daily routines, and her interviews serve as the backbone of the film, shedding light on the quietly sublime essence of her personality.

The film does an exceptional job of mapping Herrera's resilience in the face of the fading art world and her fight against gender and ethnic bias. It shows how she continued to press forward despite being neglected, up to a pivotal moment in 2004, when she was finally recognized at age 89. The sales of her work skyrocketed and she gained well-deserved acknowledgment as a pioneering figure in post-war geometric abstraction.

Astonishingly, even at the age of 100, Herrera did not let her age dampen her spirits or reduce her zeal for creating art. The documentary shows her waking up early in her Manhattan loft, drawing on her draught board, and discussing art with her assistants. The film gives us an impressive understanding of how innovation and creativity can persist throughout a lifetime.

Overall, The 100 Years Show delivers a beautiful testament to artistic longevity, dedication, and the persistence through adversity. It underscores the idea that success can come at any age, reflecting on the power of resilience and unwavering passion. As viewers journey through the life of Carmen Herrera in Alison Klayman's documentary, they are likely to experience a wide spectrum of emotions, with the artist's life story serving as a beacon of hope, a testament to their endurance, and an inspiration to keep reaching for their dreams no matter how long it may take to achieve them. Carmen Herrera and her story remind us that it is never too late to pursue our passions and leave a lasting impact.