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Season 1

  • S01E01 Drawing Illusion of Depth with David Hockney

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Artist David Hockney draws “a walk around a chair.” Also: singer Bobby McFerrin provides musical accompaniment for the animated adventures of “Flatman.”

  • S01E02 Photography Framing with Carrie Mae Weems

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Carrie Mae Weems demonstrates how photographers create meaning through composition. Also: William Wegman's fanciful video "Surprise Symphony," spotlighting his dog.

  • S01E03 Music Playing Together with Joann Falletta

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Conductor JoAnn Falletta explains melody and accompaniment ("It's called that because it keeps the melody company," says Penn Jillette). Also: "singing" cows.

  • S01E04 Drawing Line with Wayne Thiebaud

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Artist Wayne Thiebaud and cartoonist Matt Groening demostrates how lines are used to create shadows and suggest motion. Also: rope tricks with a lariat.

  • S01E05 Theater Setting Scene with Julie Taymor

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Julie Taymor directs "The Tempest," to demonstrate how costume and set design are used in theater to "create the illusion of being somewhere where we obviously aren't."

  • S01E06 Music Melody with Allen Toussaint

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Penn and Teller teach kids about melody; composer Allen Toussaint writes a song to demonstrate how repetition and variation are used in creating music. Also: singer Bobby McFerrin and saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom team up for a jam session.

  • S01E07 Painting Color with Robert Gil de Montes

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Robert Gil de Montes shows how paint color can be used to trick the eye and express an artist's feelings. Also: computer artist Marilyn Ono on the mixing of hues.

  • S01E08 Dance Pattern with David Parsons

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    David Parsons choreographs a piece about sleep to show how everyday movements can be incorporated into dance; choreographer B.H. Barry stages a mock fight. Also: a montage of dance clips.

  • S01E09 Music Rhythm with Max Roach

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Max Roach demonstrates rhythm. "Different beat patterns make you move in different ways," says host Penn Jillette. Also: the Blue Man Group.

  • S01E10 Sculpture Balance with Nancy Graves

    • August 11, 1992
    • PBS

    Nancy Graves creates a sculpture in an episode about balance and symmetry. Also: tightrope walker Brian Dewhurst demonstrates how weight affects balance.