FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 18, 2023

New York, New York – Art21 is proud to announce the premiere of “Joiri Minaya’s Pattern Making” on Wednesday, May 31, at 12:00 PM ET. The first 2023 release of Art21’s digital film series, New York Close Up, “Joiri Minaya’s Pattern Making” offers a look into the work and process of the artist.

“I’m interested in the idea of opacity, a right to remain opaque, even to yourself,” says artist Joiri Minaya. “As we navigate society, this idea of blending in or being visible and having control of that, I think is a tool for liberation, in a way.”

Filmed between New York City and the Dominican Republic, this documentary film follows artist Joiri Minaya as she investigates the expectations that are placed upon her as a Caribbean woman and how she might expose, resist, and subvert them. Through collage, photography, performance, and installation, Minaya identifies and manipulates visual and behavioral patterns in search of ways to control and reclaim her own representation.

“I was excited to make a documentary about my friend Joiri, and I’ve admired her work from afar for a while,” says Director, Alina Rancier. “Her work is very layered visually and conceptually, and I always envisioned some parts of this film edited in a similarly graphic layered style as a conceptual nod to her work.”

Tune in to the premiere of “Joiri Minaya’s Pattern Making” on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 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]. 

 

About New York Close Up

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 7 Vimeo Staff Picks. Most recently, NYCU films have been accepted at the 2022 Frameline, Fullframe Documentary Film Festival, Miami Film Festival, and Rooftop Films.

New York Close Up is made possible with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, 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, and individual contributors.

 

About Art21

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.

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Press Contact

Hannah DeGarmo
Manager of Communications, Art21
[email protected]