Over the last two weeks, I've shifted from the ReBuild Foundation shop down to a couple of houses on the south side, on Dorchester Avenue. Theaster Gates lived on Dorchester Avenue for some time, and has gradually acquired a couple of pieces of property up and down the street. The main project right now is the Black Cinema House, a two-story brick building, with generous basement, at the corner of Dorchester and 69th St.
Developed by the ReBuild Foundation architectural design team, it is going to be a place for the study and scholarship of black films, with space for screenings; a large kitchen; an office for archivists, students, and scholars; open programming room for events and classes; and living space for artists on the second floor. Funded largely with an NEA Creative Placemaking grant, the project has been chronicled over at ArtPlace America. Films, scholarly support, and collaboration will occur with the Chicago Film Archives and South Side Projections.
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| Front of the Black Cinema House. |
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| Corner, with sweet overhanging second-story bay. |
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| Gorgeous round window on first floor. |
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| From the rear. |
