Episode 6: The Reckoning

Helen Molesworth visits Carl Andre's apartment building, reflecting on Ana Mendieta's tragic death. Unable to contact Andre directly, she leaves a note. The episode explores the question of separating art from the artist, referencing figures like Woody Allen and Harvey Weinstein. Molesworth attends Andre's show at the Paula Cooper Gallery, finding the work beautiful but stagnant. She interviews Roxane Gay, who argues against preserving the work of "murderers," and Max Hollein, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, about displaying Andre's work and the possibility of wall labels addressing the controversy. Amy Capalazzo discusses Ana Mendieta's legacy and Carl Andre's suffering, advocating for separating the artist from the art. Molesworth speaks with Kristen Clifford and Jennifer Tamayo, who protested Carl Andre's retrospective, highlighting the importance of discussing difficult issues and the impact of silence. The episode concludes with Molesworth's desire for a culture that embraces complexity and compassion, advocating for open conversations about power dynamics and violence.