Theater Gates on Collecting, A Film by Art21

Theaster Gates on Collecting, a film by Art21 Summer of Shorts: Ten New Films in Ten Weeks Premiering on Art21.org every Friday through August 4 Art21 premieres its second film from its Summer of Shorts, a dynamic ten-week roll-out of exclusive new short films documenting the life and work of the most compelling contemporary artists working today: Meriem Bennani, Jordan Casteel, Stan Douglas, Theaster Gates, Liz Larner, Aki Sasamoto, Avery Singer, Jeff Wall, Chris Ware, and Caroline Woolard. Summer of Shorts continues today with the premiere new film from Art21's Extended Play series featuring artist Theaster Gates. WATCH ART21'S LATEST FILM: Collecting - Theaster Gates Through August 4, a new film will premiere at noon every Friday on Art21.org as well as on the Art21 YouTube channel. ABOUT THEASTER GATES Theaster Gates creates sculptures with clay, tar, and renovated buildings, transforming the raw material of urban neighborhoods into radically reimagined vessels of opportunity for the community. Establishing a virtuous circle between fine art and social progress, Gates strips dilapidated buildings of their components, transforming those elements into sculptures that act as bonds or investments, the proceeds of which are used to finance the rehabilitation of entire city blocks. Many of the artist’s works evoke his African-American identity and the broader struggle for civil rights, from sculptures incorporating fire hoses, to events organized around soul food, and choral performances by the experimental musical ensemble Black Monks of Mississippi, led by Gates himself. Summer of Shorts Premiere Schedule Friday, June 2 - Available Now! Avery Singer's Next Painting (New York Close Up) Friday, June 9 - Available Now! Theaster Gates (Extended Play) Friday, June 16 Jordan Casteel (New York Close Up) Friday, June 23 Meriem Bennani (New York Close Up) Friday, June 30 Jeff Wall (Extended Play) Friday, July 7 Stan Douglas (Extended Play) Friday, July 14 Aki Sasamoto (New York Close Up) Friday, July 21 Caroline Woolard (New York Close Up) Friday, July 28 Liz Larner (Extended Play) Friday, August 4 Chris Ware (Extended Play) Spread across two original Art21 web series, New York Close Up and Extended Play, viewers will have intimate access to artists’ studios, and witness the creative process of artists firsthand. From the Extended Play Series The Extended Play digital series is a refreshed take on Art21's longest-running digital series, formerly called Exclusive. Five new films will premiere during Summer of Shorts, featuring artists: Stan Douglas, Theaster Gates, Liz Larner, Jeff Wall, and Chris Ware. From the New York Close Up Series The New York Close Up digital series introduces five additional artists to the series roster through new films: Meriem Bennani, Jordan Casteel, Aki Sasamoto, Avery Singer, and Raúl de Nieves (whose first film premiered in April). A new film featuring Caroline Woolard will also premiere during Summer of Shorts. Digital Extras Summer of Shorts programming will extend across Art21 digital platforms, including Instagram takeovers by New York Close Up artist Tommy Hartung, as well as thematic and guest-contributed playlists featuring films from the ever-expanding Art21 Library. Keep up with Summer of Shorts by joining Art21 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.