Ep 192. Theaster Gates

The Colbert Report season 9 episode 192, titled "Theaster Gates," features Stephen Colbert interviewing artist and social activist Theaster Gates. The show opens with Colbert touching on recent political news before introducing Gates.

Gates is a visual artist, musician, and social practice installation sculptor. He's garnered acclaim from the art world for his works like the "Dorchester Projects," a collection of vacant properties on the south side of Chicago that he has restored as community spaces, and the "Stony Island Arts Bank," a vibrant cultural space in an abandoned bank building in the same neighborhood.

Colbert and Gates discuss a range of topics during the episode, including Gates's upbringing, his artistic process, and his activism. Gates grew up on the south side of Chicago and started performing music at a young age. After studying urban planning and ceramics in college, he moved to Japan to study architecture.

Upon returning to the United States, Gates began to focus on using art as a means of addressing urban renewal and segregation. He describes his work as "social practice sculpture" and aims to create installations that bring together different communities and provide a sense of dignity to neglected spaces.

Gates takes Colbert on a tour of some of his works, including the Stony Island Arts Bank, which houses a collection of black cultural artifacts, and the "Soul Food Pavilion," a public art installation that serves food to the community. He also discusses some of his upcoming projects, such as a performance piece that will involve transforming a prison bus into a mobile cinema.

Throughout the conversation, Gates emphasizes the importance of community engagement and sustainable art practices. He believes that artists have a responsibility to create works that can have a positive impact on the world.

In addition to the interview with Gates, the episode also features a segment in which Colbert mocks a recent report that claims that climate change could threaten the world's supply of beer. He pokes fun at the idea that shortages of beer could be a bigger problem than the devastating effects of climate change, and jokes about the need to prepare for a "sober, thirsty apocalypse."

Overall, The Colbert Report season 9 episode 192 provides a fascinating glimpse into the work of Theaster Gates and his contributions to the worlds of art and social activism. Colbert's interview is engaging and informative, and the show as a whole strikes a balance between humor and serious discussion.