TV REVIEW : KPBS-TV Documentary Looks at Life and Work of S.D Artist

“The Art and Vision of James Hubbell,” a half-hour KPBS-produced documentary, opens with the artist sitting in the quiet of his workshop, a blank piece of paper in front of him.

Slowly, he applies pencil to paper. Powered by the force of his imagination, it picks up speed, flowing over the paper, creating an image that will provide the framework for a sculpture.

It is a simple moment, but it provides a glimpse at the creative process of one of San Diego’s most interesting and prolific artists. The documentary, which premieres at 8 p.m., tonight on KPBS-TV (Channel 15), takes a simple look at Hubbell, his creativity and its result, his art. In its simplicity, the program is able to effectively capture something of the spirit and mood of the artist, whose

primary goal is often to simply blend his work with nature.

Hubbell is nothing if not diverse. Perhaps best known locally for designing the beachfront Triton restaurant in Cardiff, with its sculpted clay exterior and whirling, bottom-of-sea interior, Hubbell works equally well in brick, glass, metal, tile, cement and whatever other material is available. He works in as many forms as materials, ranging from small fountains to homes.

His sculptures are often swirls of metal, flowing forms demanding attention and space, which is true of most of his work. Although many of his larger designs use sedate quiet materials, they are often punctuated with stunning light elements, often displaying his love for brightly colored stained glass.

The documentary, produced by Paul Marshall and Vernon Kifer, allows viewers to see for themselves the interaction of Hubbell’s work and nature.

His homes--including his own in Julian, a showcase for a wide variety of his work--flow into the landscape, creating a sense of warmth and harmony with the landscape. He uses natural material and apparently has never conceived of a square corner, evidenced by the flowing lines that accent all his designs. He uses rough, wide-open areas, and he is not afraid to let the seemingly accidental--something like cement that doesn’t quite cover brick--express the character of a finished product.

“His buildings don’t fight nature,” said his wife, Ann. “It’s as if nature and (his building) are happy together.”

Except for his wife’s brief statements, Marhsall and Kifer allow Hubbell’s own words to narrate the program. He talks of his work and his concept of art. More than just an artist, he has something profound to say about art and its role in life.

As he is seen walking down a downtown San Diego street, a face in the crowd, typically dressed in a casual short-sleeved shirt, Hubbell’s narration talks of the role of public art, a subject that seems incomprehensible to many bottom-line-oriented San Diegans.

“Public art creates space that becomes livable for people,” Hubbell says. “It creates something that becomes part of their myth of life. . . . It makes a city more human.”

Hubbell also explains why he helped create the nonprofit Ilan Lael Foundation, set up to assist young artists and to give artists a voice in planning the future.

“Because we treat artists like play toys for the rich, we haven’t made use of the gifts that artists can give us,” he said.

Marshall and Kifer wisely chose to keep the program firmly rooted in Hubbell’s ideas and work. Slow pans allow the audience to savor his creations. While new age music in the background sets a mellow tone, Hubbell speaks for himself.

“Art makes a city more human,” Hubbell says, as cameras pan across the stark straight lines of downtown San Diego. “It adds up to people feeling uninvited to the city.”

It is a simple, direct, well-made point.