The art world’s stars lit up Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus on Wednesday evening, as Art21’s Big Night of Shorts took over the space for a cinematic celebration of video artists. The sprawling arts center became a theater as artists, curators, and a new generation of filmmakers—including some of the biggest names in video art, like Precious Okoyomon, Camille Henrot, Howardena Pindell, and more—gathered for a night of screenings. Short film selections were plucked from Art21’s Extended Play series, which explores the behind-the-scenes lives of contemporary artists, and New York Close Upseries, which captures up-and-coming artists across the city.
The Scene: More than 200 artists, art workers, filmmakers, cinephiles, and neighborhood regulars descended on Powerhouse Arts, the cavernous former power plant turned creative hub in Gowanus. Graffiti stretched across the industrial walls, illuminated by stage lights that cast a theatrical glow over the raw space.
The Entertainment: The crowd settled in for a program of short films drawn from several Art21 series, spanning generations of artists and a range of mediums. From studies on painting and sculpture to gardenscapes and clothing design, the shorts offered a glimpse into artistic life in 2026.
The Moment: The world premiere of Tishan Hsu: Digital Flesh, directed by Andrea Yu-Chieh Chung, was a standout of the event. Hsu, whose work has fused the body and technology since the 1980s, watched from the audience.
The Crowd: Powerhouse Arts Chief Curator Liz Munsell and Art21 Executive Director and Chief Curator Tina Kukielski held court over the proceedings. Presenting artists Tishan Hsu, Josh Kline, and Trey Abdella were also in attendance, along with curators Drew Sawyer, Daniel S. Palmer, Margot Norton, and Prem Krishnamurthy. They were joined by gallerist James Cohan, patron Nicole Deller, art advisor Molly Epstein, and master printer Luther Davis.
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