Artist Talk: Theaster Gates

still from theaster gates house heads liberation training

Theaster Gates, House Heads Liberation Training, 2016. Still from colour video footage. © 2016 Theaster Gates. Photo: Chris Strong Photography

Artist Talk: Theaster Gates

July 20, 2016, 7pm
Baillie Court, Art Gallery of Ontario

Join us to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Theaster Gates. Taking over the fifth floor of the AGO’s Contemporary Tower, Gates presents How to Build a House Museum, a wide-ranging and experimental interrogation of the house museum – its legacy as monument, as historical narrative, as racial achievement and as a site of freedom. Organized as a series of symbolic houses dedicated to George Black, W. E. B. Du Bois, Frankie Knuckles and Muddy Waters, among others, the exhibition will use music, dance, signage, video, artworks and archival documents – many related to the Black and queer experience – to explore how and what museums communicate.

Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates, whose projects range from sculpture, video, and painting to ambitious urban interventions, is among the most compelling and renowned figures in contemporary art. Gates responds creatively to the challenges of space, whether working in museums or cities.

After the Talk

Exhibition Open for Viewing: 8-10 pm
Vivian & David Campbell Centre for Contemporary Art (Level 5)
Free

House Party with DJ Terry Hunter 8 – midnight
Walker Court
Free

Listen to the Talk
Theaster Gates – Artist Talk
1 hour 40 minutes
Theaster Gates speaks on his exhibition, How to Build a House Museum, which uses music, dance, signage, video, artworks and archival documents – many related to the Black and queer experience – to explore how and what museums communicate.

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