Star Wars and Modernism, an artist commentary conceived and directed by artist John Powers, explores the original 1977 science fiction film as an object. Juxtaposing video with film stills and historical archives, Powers creates a compelling argument that the visual program of the blockbuster can and should be understood in terms of the art, architecture, and politics of Cold-War America. An essay by Powers published in Triple Canopy, with important editorial contributions by Colby Chamberlain, was the genesis of the project. Composer Luke DuBois created the film's original score.

Colby Chamberlain is a Jacob K. Javits Fellow in the art history department at Columbia University. He is a senior editor for the online magazine Triple Canopy, and a regular contributor to Artforum and Cabinet.

R. Luke DuBois is a composer, artist, and performer who explores the temporal, verbal, and visual structures of cultural and personal ephemera. He holds a doctorate in music composition from Columbia University, and has lectured and taught worldwide on interactive sound and video performance. He has collaborated on interactive performance, installation, and music production work with many artists and organizations, including Toni Dove, Matthew Ritchie, Todd Reynolds, Michael Joaquin Grey, Elliott Sharp, Michael Gordon, Bang on a Can, Engine27, Harvestworks, and LEMUR, and was the director of the Princeton Laptop Orchestra for its 2007 season.

John Powers is a sculptor whose work has been shown at PS1, Exit Art, the Kohler Arts Center, Caren Golden, Art Omi, the Swiss Institute, CUE Arts Foundation, Grand Arts, the Black & White Gallery, and the Brooklyn Museum.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.