Herb and Dorothy: Art Collectors Extraordinaire

This first documentary (there are 2) of Herb and Dorothy Vogel is enchanting on several different levels. One, is an appetite for enriching one's existence. Ordinary people, walking to work and doing their jobs, shopping for groceries, cooking their supper. If you should see them at the many art galleries in the city you might wonder why they were there, looking out of place, very ordinary, un-artistic and seemingly lacking sophistication. The librarian and the postal clerk have the gift of looking. They have been looking for 30 years and have aquired an amazing collection of art within their means of budget and space. Herb and Dorothy Vogel didn't purchase art for the investment. They purchased art because they delighted in it. The color. The shape. The emotion.

Whatever.

They bought what they liked.
The director, Megumi Sasaki's statement says it succinctly,

"...art is not limited to the elite few. You don't have to be wealthy or an art school graduate to enjoy art. If you are interested in collecting art you do not have to follow trends or others' advice. Just listen to your own voice. Trust your eyes and instinct. Simply take the time to look, look, and look."

The other enchanting observation that endears me to them is their shared passion that has not only enriched their art appreciation and collection but also their marriage. Their devotion to collecting is clearly an extension of their devotion to each other.

Herb and Dorothy still live in their one bedroom apartment in New York.

See the film.

You can get it on Netflix.

Or you can order a copy for your library here: Transit Media

HERB & DOROTHY Trailer from Herb & Dorothy on Vimeo.