Frieze London kicks off next week and to coincide artist Theaster Gates is taking over The Store X, 180 The Strand with a super-size installation and live-events programme – the latest instalment of his Black Image Corporation.
The month-long programme launches with travelling social club Prada Mode London. It sees Theaster Gates dip into his Johnson Publishing Company and Dr Wax records collections to furnish an immersive multi-zone lounge inside the Sir Frederick Gibberd-designed brutalist building on 2nd and 3rd October.
Gate’s social practice – which spans architecture, music, art and community – is concerned with activating spaces, as in his native Chicago South Side, where he’s revived the defunct Stony Island bank and other buildings. As part of his intervention at The Store X, 180 The Strand, he’s launching a live events programme dubbed ‘Collective Intimacy’ in collaboration with The Vinyl Factory and The Showroom which connects to London’s black creative community.
It will run every Saturday through October and comprises a film programme curated by Ava DuVernay; Vinyl Factory Radio station with sessions and records from Gates’ personal vinyl collection; a space to observe ceramics, entitled ‘Mississippi Shack’; and a series of talks that shine the spotlight on emerging and established black talent.
Fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, director Larry Achiampong and artist Phoebe Boswell are among the line-up, with more names to follow.