When the Ordinary becomes Extraordinary

Thanks to my friend Paul, I was fortunate enough to see this amazing documentary, Herb & Dorothy, over the summer. If you haven’t seen this film already, try and find a way to do so! I saw it when it played at the Cable Car Cinema here in Providence, but seeing as that was back in June or something, I’m pretty sure you’ll have to go elsewhere to see it now.

I really can’t decide what I love most about this film; the couple, the art, the animals…or just simply the story. The film documents the life of Herbert Vogel, a postal clerk, and Dorothy Vogel, a librarian, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history with very modest means. Guided by two rules; affordability and size, Herb and Dorothy collected works by Christo and Jean Claude, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Chuck Close, Sol Lewitt and many others who were, at the time, unknown. Over the span of thirty years, the Vogel’s managed to fill every corner of their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment with over 4,000 pieces of art. Eventually their collection appreciated so significantly that it became worth several million dollars.

Directed and produced by first time filmmaker Megumi Sasaki, Herb and Dorothy is a captivating story about an extraordinary couple whose love and passion for art defied convention and encouraged the art world to question what it means to collect and appreciate art. On many different levels, this film is the quintessential love story, it will warm your heart and inspire your passions. Be sure to visit the website to learn more and find out where Herb & Dorothy are traveling next...

HERB & DOROTHY Trailer from Herb & Dorothy on Vimeo.