The Cool School: Story of the Ferus Art Gallery

The Cool School: Story of the Ferus Art Gallery is an enthralling eye-opener to the vibrant world of postwar American art, through the tale of the iconic Ferus art gallery in Los Angeles. This intriguing documentary presents a captivating chapter in the narrative of contemporary art, showcasing how Los Angeles-based artists carved out a unique identity within the global art community. Noteworthy figures featured in the film include Eve Babitz, John Baldessari, and Larry Bell — renowned artists who were involved with the Ferus gallery either as artists or art enthusiasts.

The documentary is directed by Morgan Neville known for his identifiable approach to non-fiction narratives. The Cool School is a remarkable entry in his oeuvre, providing a comprehensive account of the beginnings, development, and eventual closure of the Ferus gallery. Neville navigates the viewer through the events and the personalities that would set the stage for the birth of the Los Angeles modern art scene.

Set against a backdrop of the 1950s and 1960s - a time rich with cultural, political, and social transformation - the narrative of the film is propelled by the spirit of curiosity, rebellion against norms, and a constant quest for originality that exemplified the Ferus artists' community. Each an audacious innovator in his own right, Babitz, Baldessari, and Bell symbolize the artistic exploration and unabashed flair that defined the Ferus Art Gallery.

Eve Babitz, a notable artist and writer, was renowned for her engagement with the evolving cultural scene of Los Angeles. Babitz provided a fascinating perspective on the Ferus gallery and its impact on the landscape of contemporary art of her time. Acclaimed conceptual artist John Baldessari, besides contributing to the LA art scene, shares valuable insights into the ethos that the gallery embodied. Larry Bell, on the other hand, is known for his minimalist sculptures and paintings — Bell's work at Ferus often challenged conventional perspectives on art and material.

The film chronologically tracks the trajectory of the Ferus Gallery, beginning from its humble origins in a small storefront on North La Cienega Boulevard. Founded in 1957 by curator Walter Hopps and artist Edward Kienholz, the Ferus quickly became a composition of innovative expressions and counter-culture ideologies. Breathtaking archival footage and photographs, coupled with interviews of artists and critics, bring to life the edgy, transformative feel of the times - It was the 'Cool School'.

The documentary not only focuses on the journeys of the art and artists related to the gallery but also delves into the shifting cultural landscape that shaped these. From the Beat Generation ethos to social and political developments, the film paints a rich picture of the factors that birthed the West Coast modern art scene. The influence of Ferus stretches beyond its physical existence; the spirit of the 'Ferus Family' paved the way for the establishment of Los Angeles as an international art hub.

The demise of the Ferus Gallery in 1966 marked the end of an era. But even in closure, the legacy of Ferus continued to inspire coming generations of artists and aesthetes. The film elegantly encapsulates this sentiment in its narrative, making 'The Cool School' more than just a documentary; it is a celebration of the audacious brilliance of a group of artists and how they redefined the frontiers of contemporary art.

The Cool School: Story of the Ferus Art Gallery does far more than chronicle the rise of a unique brand of modernist expressionism in the heart of Los Angeles. It offers an insightful and comprehensive examination of the sociocultural forces that helped shape this influential movement, reflected upon by the artists themselves. It is an essential viewing for anybody interested in the origins and the evolution of modern art in America, and the singular role that the west coast city of Los Angeles, sparked by the Ferus Gallery, played in this narrative.

The film thus captures the pulsating spirit of the Ferus art gallery, unravelling a tale of non-conformity, passion, and constant evolution that underscores the journey of art in the city of angels - Los Angeles. Despite its end, the legacy of the Ferus Art Gallery lives on, continually inspiring artists and art lovers around the world. Insightful, engaging, and deeply moving - the cool school is an astounding testament to the compelling power of art. It's about the courageous artists who dared to be different, about the spaces they created, and about the world they transformed with their extraordinary vision.