Art21: Art in the Twenty-First Century

Can art move us to temper our more destructive impulses? How do artists' feelings of empathy contribute to works that tackle problematic subjects and address the human condition? Featuring the work of William Kentridge and Carrie Mae Weems.

How does desire and taboo shape our imagination? What role does technology play in wish fulfillment? Cao Fe, Mary Heilmann, and Florian Maier-Aichen defy convention and transport us to unreal worlds and altered states of consciousness.

Costumes and masks, makeup and style, dolls and mannequins, stage and cinema--what strategies do we use to refashion identity? Do we seek out excess and extremes to see ourselves more clearly? Featuring Cindy Sherman and Yinka Shonibare.

What new grammars do artists invent in today's supercharged, information-based society? Why do we find comfort in some systems while rebelling against others? Featuring John Baldessari, Kimsooja, Allan McCollum, and Julie Mehretu.