For Immediate Release
December 11, 2024

CLARK ART INSTITUTE PRESENTS “GANGSTERS AND BUSTERS,” AN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION OF BLACK MALE IDENTITY WITH CULTURAL CRITIC JAMAL MICHEL 

Williamstown, Massachusetts—On Thursday, January 9 at 6 pm, the Clark Art Institute presents “Gangsters and Busters,” an interactive talk with cultural critic and journalist Jamal Michel as he delves into the provocative world of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and its portrayal of Black identity. Presented in coordination with David-Jeremiah's exhibition I Drive Thee, Michel examines how the digital realm presumes, manipulates, and drives narratives of the Black experience. This free event takes place in the Michael Conforti Pavilion.

In his critically acclaimed New York Times article, “My Mosque Preached Damnation, but Grand Theft Auto Offered Thrills,” Michel reflects on how games like GTA offer minority players an outlet for expression while reinforcing problematic narratives, especially those around Black masculinity. Through live gameplay of GTA III (2001) through GTA V (2013), Michel dissects how the game's flashy sports cars, gritty urban landscapes, and dynamic characters both reflect and distort perceptions of race, class, and culture, offering valuable insights into the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI (2025).

I Drive Thee is the fifth installment of the Clark’s public spaces series. It is artist David-Jeremiah (b. 1985, Oak Cliff, Texas; lives and works in Dallas) first institutional solo show outside Texas and represents an overview of and conclusion to the artist’s cycle of large circular reliefs or tondos. In this series, David-Jeremiah is concerned with agency and appetite, asking both who drives and who is driven. The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated publication that features the artist’s writing.

This year-long installation, free and open to the public, is organized by the Clark Art Institute and curated by Robert Wiesenberger, curator of contemporary projects.

Generous support is provided by Agnes Gund.

Free. For more information, visit clarkart.edu/events. For accessibility questions, call 413 458 0524. Admission to the Clark is free January through March 2025.

ABOUT THE CLARK
The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of some 300,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.

The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday from September through June, and daily in July and August. Admission is free January through March and is $20 from March through December; admission is free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is also available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.

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