On September 9th, Art21 hosted a special advance screening of artist Sophie Calle’s segment from Season 12 of Art in the Twenty-First Century at the SAG-AFTRA Robin Williams Center for Performing Arts in New York City.

Calle is one of four artists featured in the season’s first episode, “Between Worlds.” Exploring Calle’s much-celebrated career, this documentary short follows the artist as she mounts exhibitions at the Musée Picasso Paris, the Cryptoportique in Arles, and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. The film reflects on her decades of groundbreaking work in photography, writing, and film, centering the balance of play and profundity that Calle has become known for.

Welcoming the audience, Art21’s Susan Sollins Executive Director and Chief Curator Tina Kukielski underscored the organization’s mission of amplifying artists’ voices. Her remarks set the stage for the very first public screening of Sophie Calle’s segment.

Following the screening, Calle was joined onstage by filmmaker and her longtime friend Bette Gordon, for a spirited conversation. Together, they discussed the impact of the 1980s New York art scene on their respective practices and how to approach themes of identity and vulnerability in art. Calle answered questions from the audience with the sense of playful humor that has always informed her work.

“Between Worlds”—featuring Sophie Calle, Lubaina Himid, Tuan Andrew Nguyen, and Dyani White Hawk—premieres on October 17 on art21.org and PBS.