Herb & Dorothy

Herb and Dorothy is the name of a documentary about the Vogels. To all appearances they are an average if somewhat short couple. She retired from the New York library he retired from the post office. A modest couple living in a single bedroom rent-controlled apartment in New York City. The reason why such an ordinary couple is worthy of this documentary is that they share an abiding love for each other and a passionate interest in the art scene that grew up around them.Over a period of 45 years they collected thousands of carefully selected examples of abstract pop and conceptual art. They would never have the choice to apply the brute force of a large bank account. Instead they would have to work the art scene find and befriend artists before they became expensive. They would buy works by emerging artists at minimal prices and even then they would use barter and slow cash paybacks. Slowly it would be recognized in the larger art community that this couple was in possession of a sizable portion of America’s modern art history.Director Megumi Sasaki takes up their story as these two become discovered. By now they could have become art dealers. The sale of a few treasures would allow them to move them out of their modest one bedroom apartment. Art for money is not what the Vogel are about.Herb and Dorothy is at its best when the director lets the story tell itself. The story is that ordinary people can be so passionate about art; that they can become part of the society of now famous and influential artists and that they do so not because of money but despite their lack of same. In taking us into their lives, Saski on occasion resort to an interesting, but intrusive effect. Specifically she will convert old black and white stills into a flat 3D effect. There is no need to do this.Herb and Dorothy is a very basic story. The appeal is as much the implied, functioning reality of their love for each other. There is humor in their chosen art forms. Herb cannot be fooled by upside down art, Dorothy will defend their favorites, eve if we think it is just a piece of string.. This is a sweet love story not treacly. It is also fascinating because of the respect given by the mighty to these humble, good people.

I thought the film a bit long and perhaps a bit repetitious, but I found the subject fascinating --that two people of modest means could acquire a world class collection. The film also provides insight into the collecting impulse - why for example I would have a difficult time moving from my house and having to dispose of my "stuff." There are significant samples of the art they collected as well as interviews with both the Vogels and artists they bought from. The extent of their collection was amazing. The fact that it was too big for one institution to absorb makes them among the great art collectors on the order of Albert Barnes for example. It some level it is a "love" story about their love for art, for each other and for New York City. It is a real "feel good" movie. The film was nicely organized. The images were clear. The sound was fine.

felt for this marvelous couple. Their countenance is very working-class-older-couple-next-door...salt of the earthish, but with two sets of eyes focused on genius and an ability to shamelessly answer the call of selfless surrender to one's passion. Here, it is art. Unceasing collecting occurs...in fact, lets call it hoarding. As the living space is an ever-shrinking thing...while a compulsively fraught Ode to Modern Art lives and breathes like a gorgeous, undulating dragon. These are The Vogels. "Herb" which is how I think of him...has a peregrine-falcon like eye...he sees a piece of art, zones in on it...and gets it. He seems a conjurer...and divines the artist's intent, possibly better than even the artist knew. Herb has a fascinating manner of turning off and on, his tunnel vision...he is the son of immigrants and it shows in his lovely, absolute sense of himself and his surroundings. Dorothy has sky-blue farm-girl eyes...I imagine her coming from Iowa...she is the supportive calm. She is as avid a collector as Herb...and together, they are glorious art-addicts. They do not compromise their collection...it is it's own living thing, each piece within it, an integral facet of the whole. Herb and Dorothy are the parents of this big child, their art collection.You'll enjoy their beautiful cats (which seem to be American Shorthair, Persian crosses...(Exotic Shorthairs...)...and the turtles...you'll love the artist interviews...and you'll soon recognise that Dorothy and Herbert, both art-shamans...are as much a national treasure as their collection.

This is an inspiring love story about two New Yorker's, Dorothy and Herb Vogel, who marry, study art, and become passionate collectors of minimalist and conceptual art in the 1960's. Herb, a high school dropout, and career postal worker takes the lead in studying art, and in collecting. Dorothy, a librarian, in parallel develops substantial acumen in minimalist and conceptual art. They are an inseparable couple who spend every day of their lives making friends with artists in SOHO, etc. and pursue their collecting passion. In the end, however, their passion grows into a monster when their small apartment is overrun with artwork. Several things stick out in the film: their enduring love, their passion for art, and their integrity as stewards of their collection. Herb and Dorothy also inspire us to look and think hard about art. Their work shows that visual literacy is in reach of everyday people, and is not a subject solely for academics.

This documentary is one of the first ones I saw on the world of art. Herb and Dorothy were truest patrons of art and this shows through in the documentary. It tells the story of 2 average people, working and living average lives in New York but with one unique passion: collecting art. They didn't do it to become rich (though their collection is considered priceless by some), but they did it because of their love of art pure and simple. The documentary showcases their special relationships with the artists themselves, not the gallery community. They were renowned and astute collectors. You will enjoy their quirky story!

I saw this at a film festival last year and, as a novice art collector myself, it was an inspiration. Herb and Dorothy Vogel are a joy to watch as they interact with artists, pieces of art and each other. Underneath those unassuming exteriors are sharp, inquiring, savvy minds. After watching this, viewers will want to take the dive into art collecting, too.

Wonderful, absolutely fascinating, and uplifting to meet people with such passion and devotion to art.