Install begins at Mori Museum. I’m delighted. I’m not in Chicago for Expo (sorry to all my friends visiting at the moment). I’m in Japan installing the largest exhibition of my life! The team is thorough, thoughtful, hard working and kind. We have about 10 days to get things right and so far, things are swimming. I’ll thank the team soon, but for now, I just feel honored!
Install begins at Mori Museum. I’m delighted. I’m not in Chicago for Expo (sorry to all my friends visiting at the moment). I’m in Japan installing the largest exhibition of my life! The team is thorough, thoughtful, hard working and kind. We have about 10 days to get things right and so far, things are swimming. I’ll thank the team soon, but for now, I just feel honored!
One of the true gifts of Afro Mingei, has been the ability to partner with formidable artists and creative allies. Special thanks to @matthieu_blazy for his astounding contributions to my this exhibition. Matthieu, an opportunity to work so closely has truly been a dream come true. I look forward to many future projects together. Bottega Yaki, 2024. Wood fired stoneware, leather. Afro-Mingei at the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Co-designed by Theaster Gates and Matthieu Blazy, leather weaving produced by Bottega Veneta Photo: Wyatt Conlon. Courtesy of Theaster Gates Studio.
One of the true gifts of Afro Mingei, has been the ability to partner with formidable artists and creative allies. Special thanks to @matthieu_blazy for his astounding contributions to my this exhibition. Matthieu, an opportunity to work so closely has truly been a dream come true. I look forward to many future projects together. Bottega Yaki, 2024. Wood fired stoneware, leather. Afro-Mingei at the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Co-designed by Theaster Gates and Matthieu Blazy, leather weaving produced by Bottega Veneta Photo: Wyatt Conlon. Courtesy of Theaster Gates Studio.
One of the true gifts of Afro Mingei, has been the ability to partner with formidable artists and creative allies. Special thanks to @matthieu_blazy for his astounding contributions to my this exhibition. Matthieu, an opportunity to work so closely has truly been a dream come true. I look forward to many future projects together. Bottega Yaki, 2024. Wood fired stoneware, leather. Afro-Mingei at the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo. Co-designed by Theaster Gates and Matthieu Blazy, leather weaving produced by Bottega Veneta Photo: Wyatt Conlon. Courtesy of Theaster Gates Studio.
Today is the official opening of my exhibition at @moriartmuseum. I could not be more excited or grateful, for the opportunity, the support and encouragement and the people who showed up yesterday to support the pre-opening. Thanks to all of my partners and collaborators, friends from chicago, Tokoname, Kyoto, and other parts of the world! Special thanks to @mami_kataoka_2018 @tookuu @sabinabokhari @haru_2227 my studio staff and the amazing team at Mori museum. I’m overjoyed!
The larger works are up. Now, the more nuanced work begins. Install of printed matter, final placements, and new works that can only be conceived once I’m in the space. It’s an important day. it’s all starting to make sense. The exhibition is such a celebration of the contributions Japan has had on my practice and also a celebration of other peoples hands. Yesterday, we installed a 10th century vessel from Tokoname. I almost cried!
The larger works are up. Now, the more nuanced work begins. Install of printed matter, final placements, and new works that can only be conceived once I’m in the space. It’s an important day. it’s all starting to make sense. The exhibition is such a celebration of the contributions Japan has had on my practice and also a celebration of other peoples hands. Yesterday, we installed a 10th century vessel from Tokoname. I almost cried!
The larger works are up. Now, the more nuanced work begins. Install of printed matter, final placements, and new works that can only be conceived once I’m in the space. It’s an important day. it’s all starting to make sense. The exhibition is such a celebration of the contributions Japan has had on my practice and also a celebration of other peoples hands. Yesterday, we installed a 10th century vessel from Tokoname. I almost cried!
One year ago today, we were proud to host a daylong house music party in tribute to Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House Music, at the Stony Island Arts Bank. As part of the celebration, we debuted our then latest project, “My Frankie: Reflections on the Music and Life of Frankie Knuckles,” a short documentary, produced in partnership with Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, chronicling Frankie’s artistry and unique ability to curate liberatory space through sound. Check out this sneak peek of the film. We have just completed archiving and digitizing the Frankie Knuckles Collection, a collection of over 4,000 vinyl and ephemera belonging to the Godfather of House Music, in order the extend the life of the collection and make it more accessible to the public. Many thanks to all who participated in the making of the film and in the making of house history. Thank you to the @mellonfoundation, @frankieknucklesfoundation and @chicagodcase for your investment in our work honoring, elevating and opening Frankie’s material legacy. We are grateful to our digitizing and cataloging teams whose time, care and curiosity have imbued these collections with a new layer of cultural value and access. #frankieknuckles #rebuildfoundation #housemusic #southsidechicago
