Art21 Releases New Film: “Heidi Lau’s Spirit Vessels”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 19, 2022
New York, New York – Art21 is proud to announce the premiere of “Heidi Lau’s Spirit Vessels” on June 1 at 12:00 PM ET. The third 2022 release of Art21’s award-winning digital film series, New York Close Up, “Heidi Lau’s Spirit Vessels” offers a look into the work and creative processes of the New York City-based artist and first Artist-in-Residence at the famed Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.
“Sometimes I feel like it’s the clay telling me what to do,” says Heidi Lau. “Instead of me sculpting it, it’s like it’s sculpting me back.” Lau channels personal history, colonial culture, and the spiritual world through her hands and into her otherworldly clay works. Set on the grounds and in the Catacombs of Green-Wood, this film explores a uniquely tactile yet spiritual relationship between an artist and her material.
“As an Asian American filmmaker and a fellow member of the Chinese diaspora, I was also particularly interested in the history and culture felt throughout Heidi’s works,” says Bryan Chang, director of the film. “Heidi’s works feel at once ancient and familiar, yet as indecipherable as the ruins of a forgotten civilization.”
The film will also be screened as part of Rooftop Films’ annual “Cemetery Shorts” program on Friday, June 17th at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. Tickets available at rooftopfilms.com.
New York Close Up (NYCU) is devoted to capturing early career artists living and working in New York City. NYCU films have been accepted and honored by over 100 film festivals, including the BlackStar and DOC NYC film festivals, as well as the Academy Awards qualifying Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. NYCU films have also been honored with 2 Webby Award nominations and 6 Vimeo Staff Picks. Most recently, NYCU films have been accepted at the 2022 Frameline, Fullframe, and Miami Film Festival, and Rooftop Films.
Tune in to “Heidi Lau’s Spirit Vessels” on June 1, 2022 at 12PM ET at Art21.org and on Art21’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/art21org. To learn more email Art21 Manager of Communications, Hannah DeGarmo, at [email protected].
Art21 is a celebrated global leader in presenting thought-provoking and sophisticated content about contemporary art, and the go-to place to learn first-hand from the artists of our time. A nonprofit organization, Art21’s mission is to inspire a more creative world through the works and words of contemporary artists. Learn more at Art21.org.
