The Women of Abstract Expressionism, Weaving Documentary & Storytelling in Swaziland

Mary Gabriel joins us to discuss her book Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art. The book is a chronicle of five women who dared to enter the male-dominated world of twentieth-century abstract painting--not as muses but as artists.

This afternoon Mayor de Blasio will sign a law that makes it possible for people who don’t identify as a man or as a woman to change their birth certificate to “gender X.” Michael Adams, CEO of SAGE, joins us to discuss the significance of this new law. We'll also take your calls to hear what this change in law means for you personally.

Emmy Award-winner Thandie Newton joins us to discuss the new film for which she was executive producer called, “Liyana,” which premieres in New York on October 9th. Under the guidance of South African storyteller, Gcina Mhlophe, five orphaned children from Swaziland collaborated to create a collective fairy tale. Their fictional character, Liyana, is brought to life in innovative animated artwork as she embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her young twin brothers. The film premieres on October 9 at 7pm at IFC Center and will also play at the Maysles Documentary Center from October 10 through 16.