Art21's second compendium of artist interviews explores how we use the randomness, complexity and unknowability of life to push the boundaries of art and culture

Published with Gregory R. Miller & Co..

The unknown is definitionally indefinable. It is something we encounter in ways big and small every day of our lives. It appears when we wake up and wonder what the day holds, as we watch the world around us change, develop and decay, and in our risks, dreams and curiosities. The unknown can appear unexpectedly, at any time, and with myriad forms and faces. What do we do with that information? At Art21, we look to artists.
Drawn from over two decades of interviews with the leading artists of the 21st century, Artists & the Unknown: Art21 Interviews with Artists captures engaging, inspiring and stimulating conversations with that explore encounters with the unknown. Featuring the works and words of 18 groundbreaking contemporary artists, this collection serves as a guide and a companion in your own encounters with unknowability.
Art21 is a celebrated global leader in presenting thought-provoking and sophisticated films, educational programs and publications about contemporary art. With the mission to educate and expand access to contemporary art to inspire a more creative and inclusive world, Art21 is the go-to place to learn firsthand from the artists of our time.
Interviews by: Ian Forster, Susan Sollins, Chiemi Karasawa, Lorena Alverado, Wesley Miller, Brian Redondo, Bryan Chang, Vicky Du, Jessica Kingdon, Nathan Truesdell, Malika Zouhali-Worrall.