FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 30, 2025
New York, New York – Art21 is proud to announce the release of a new film, “Miranda July: What Else Might You Do?,” premiering Wednesday, February 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET on Art21.org and YouTube. In this installment of Art21’s Extended Play digital series, Miranda July describes the highs and lows of the creative process in her Los Angeles home and studio.
“I’ve done my work exactly as I wanted to do. For some reason, I granted myself permission to do that from the get-go,” says the artist. “Once you have this new perspective on your life and your family and how these things interact, it just goes on from there.”
Taking risks and charting new paths, July poses a question for herself and others: “If you’re gonna do that, what else might you do?” When she decided to devote Wednesday nights to being alone in her studio, artist Miranda July recognized she was doing something dangerous: opening a world of possibility. This documentary short follows the artist as she navigates the complexities of her creative practice, balancing being a multidisciplinary artist, her commitments to her family, and her happiness.
“Art21 films typically revel in showing artists at work,” says Ian Forster, co-director and Art21 senior producer. “But this film takes a different approach, illuminating Miranda’s creative process primarily through language. At its core is a candid and thought-provoking conversation with Miranda July, skillfully conducted by Chiemi Karasawa.”
Miranda July is also featured in Art21’s latest book, Artists & the Unknown. This new publication delves into how the unpredictability and complexity of life fuel creativity and push the boundaries of contemporary art. Now available for purchase at shop.art21.org.
Tune in to the digital premiere of “Miranda July: What Else Might You Do?” on Wednesday, February 12, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET at Art21.org and on Art21’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/art21org. To learn more, email Art21 Associate Director of Communications, Hannah DeGarmo, at [email protected].
Art21’s Extended Play digital series provides unmediated, behind-the-scenes access to today’s leading artists. Through process-revealing footage and intimate interviews, these curatorially-driven films chronicle a diverse scale of international projects, ranging from major commissions to exploratory sketches. Produced in close collaboration with artists, Extended Play uncovers provocative ideas, timely cultural influences, and biographical anecdotes that inspire the artists featured throughout the series.
Extended Play is presented by the Marina Kellen French Foundation, with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Every Page Foundation, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Henry Nias Foundation, and individual contributors.
Art21 is the world’s leading source to learn directly from the artists of our time. The mission of Art21 is to educate and expand access to contemporary art through the production of documentary films, resources, and public programs. The organization recently embarked on capacity-building efforts to grow its operations and services to bring more artists to more audiences worldwide. Art21 opens the world of art to everyone. Learn more at Art21.org.