The Cool School: Story of Ferus Art Gallery

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HOW L.A. LEARNED TO LOVE MODERN ART Toward the end of 1956, med-school dropout Walter Hopps met artist Ed Kienholz for lunch at a hot dog stand on La Cienega Blvd. The two drafted a contract on a hot dog wrapper that stated simply, "We will be partners in art for five years." And with that, the Freus Gallery was born. THE COOL SCHOOL is an abject lesson in how to build an art scene from scratch and what to avoid in the process. The film focuses on the seminal Ferus Gallery, which groomed the LA art scene from a loose band of idealistic beatniks into a coterie of competitive, often brilliant artists, including Ed Kienholz, Ed Ruscha, Craig Kauffman, Wallace Berman, Ed Moses and Robert Irwin. The Ferus also served as launching point for New York imports, Andy Warhol (hosting his first Soup Can show), Jasper Johns, and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as leading to the first Pop Art show and Marcel Duchamp's first retrospective. What was lost and gained is tied up in a complex web of egos, passions, money, and art. This is how LA came of age. DVD Special Features Walter Hopps on "Walter Hopps, Hopps, Hopps" by Ed Kienholz The World of Ed Kienholz Ferus Artists Reunion

Release Date: 01/07/2009
Audio tracks: Stereo 2.0
Languages: English
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 85.0 mins
Format: DVD, Region 4 (PAL)
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Original Aspect Ratio
Catalogue: AF013

Featuring Dennis Hopper
Narrated by Jeff Bridges

"One of the most fun art documentaries I've seen... a movie that's true to the best parts of its subjects." Jen Graves, THE STRANGER

"THE COOL SCHOOLl is a thoughtful slice of a critical moment in American art history. It's also a fast-paced educational and entertaining romp through L.A. of the late 1950s to early 1960s." HOUSTON CHRONICLE

"A quick-witted, delightful documentary." Ron Stringer, SEATTLE TIMES

"The definitive document of this era in art." AIN'T IT COOL NEWS

"Not to be missed by art aficionados...an expertly assembled, fascinating look at a group of acclaimed L.A. artists." INDIE WIRE

"What THE COOL SCHOOL does so well, through it's color accents and black and white photography, through the kinetic music that propels Jeff Bridges narration by... and the unorthodox attitude that reflects the artists themselves." John Anderson, VARIETY