Herb & Dorothy 50x50

Herb & Dorothy 50x50 is a captivating documentary that seamlessly intertwines the facets of art, love, and philanthropy, shedding light on the world of the unassuming art patrons, Herbert and Dorothy Vogel. Following the successful release of Megumi Sasaki’s Herb & Dorothy in 2008, this 2013 sequel continues to delve into their awe-inspiring journey, narrated with warmth and enlightening insights.

Helmed by the same director, Megumi Sasaki, Herb & Dorothy 50x50 presents a supportive account of the couple's unique laissez-faire attitude toward the conventional world of art collectors. Despite lacking formal training in fine arts and hailing from modest backgrounds - Herbert was a postal worker, and Dorothy, a librarian - the Vogels managed to amass a comprehensive art collection that comprised over 4,000 pieces, gravitating towards minimalist and conceptual art.

The film examines this commonplace couple's improbable ascendancy on the international art scene, despite living in a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment and leading low-profile, unextravagant lives. Their idiosyncratic collection was built over a period of multiple decades, fueled by keen eyes for talent, a passion for the avant-garde, and relationships with artists, some of whom were unknown at the time and later ascended to global recognition.

Herb & Dorothy 50x50 shifts its focus from the couple's process of collection to their remarkable donation. Determined to keep their massive collection intact and accessible to the public, the Vogels made the munificent decision to distribute their art across 50 states in the US, giving 50 works to one institution in each state — thus, the title 50x50.

The documentary shares the couple's altruistic initiative called the "Dorothy and Herbert Vogel Collection: Fifty Works for Fifty States," providing an engaging exploration of the impact made by their gift on various states’ art scenes. Viewers get to see the effect of the Vogel's generosity on diverse communities and the institutions that received these pieces of modern art history.

Herb & Dorothy 50x50 beautifully captures the initial reactions of surprise, delight, and overwhelming gratitude from the receiving institutions when informed of their luck in becoming custodians of part of the Vogel collection. The documentary also portrays the couple's humble response to the realization of how extensively they've influenced and supported modern art and its exponents.

One of the highlights of this documentary is the couple themselves. Yet again, Herbert and Dorothy Vogel shine through with their unpretentious nature and absolute dedication to art. They are portrayed not simply as collectors, but also as specialists in their unique right, having an immense understanding and deep love for creativity and expression that they see in the art they collect.

The documentary, although fundamentally centered on art, transcends its primary focus. It is a heartwarming testament of love — the Vogels' love for art, their enduring love for each other, their love for the artists they tirelessly support, and, ultimately, a love for humankind showcased in their generous donations.

The film is fittingly garnished with commentary from art experts, curators, notable critics, and some of the artists that the Vogels had supported, who all provide an insight into the couple's legacy and impact on the art world. Notably, Paula Antebi appears in the film, seamlessly contributing to the archival footage, interviews, and art showings that make up the documentary.

In conclusion, Herb & Dorothy 50x50 is a moving ode to Herbert and Dorothy Vogel, one-of-a-kind patrons who reaffirmed the values of generosity, passion, and dedication in the contemporary art world. The film will resound not just with art lovers, but also with anyone that values stories of love, passion, selflessness, and dedication. It is an insightful and heartening film about ordinary people who've managed to do extraordinary things.