About
Pat Steir: Artist | A Film by Veronica Gonzalez Peña
$28,022
86
Art is the most important way of recording history.
- Pat Steir
Pat Steir: Artist is a beautiful film about a truly groundbreaking woman artist. The renowned painter Pat Steir has opened herself up to filmmaker Veronica Gonzalez Peña in such unique and various ways that the film functions like a novel, a first-person narration. Pat Steir: Artist offers a deeply perceptive and original portrait of the great artist in an emotionally moving and personal recounting.
Born in 1940 in Newark, New Jersey, Pat Steir attended Pratt Institute in the mid-fifties and has lived primarily in New York City since then, becoming an important figure in the art world. A painter and printer, Steir helped pave the way for many. She is a founding member of Printed Matter book store, an important NYC institution, and of the landmark feminist journal, Heresies, first published in 1977.
Because the documentary stems from a personal friendship between filmmaker and artist, it carries an air of intimacy and warmth. Pat Steir: Artist grew out of a series of conversations about family, psychoanalysis, books, Pat’s artistic practice, and ultimately, feminism and politics. Primarily shot in Steir’s home and studio, the film gives viewers a chance to step into the artist’s world. There are no talking heads, no one giving shape to the story--for we feel there shouldn't be an authority that speaks to the artist's production and places it within a historical context. We’re more interested in the subject giving shape to her own story, sharing of herself and bringing us into her intimate world.
This is the first film about Pat Steir, whose achievements and talents are being recognized more broadly in recent years, as she’s approaching eighty years old. The documentary not only showcases her process and her painting practice, but gives Steir a chance to speak about her childhood, her experiences in New York in the 60’s and 70’s, and the close relationships she had with her mentors: Agnes Martin, Sol LeWitt, John Cage.
To bring this film to life, we are reaching out to you! We are currently in post-production and are looking for finishing funds, as well as funds to cover costs for archival footage, image and music rights, festival applications, and travel. All of these things add up quickly! But in the same vein, every dollar you give counts towards bringing this project to fruition.
Here's a clip from the beginning of the film...
We have many extraordinary rewards available, including behind-the-scenes footage, posters, unique prints, and Pat’s own paint-splattered shoes! This is the only opportunity for items such as these and we are so excited to share with you! Pat Steir has both given of herself openly, and gently helped to guide the conversations in this film, in the process revealing herself in the most generous and unrestricted of ways. We are now counting on your generosity to help us make this film a reality! We thank you in advance for all your support and can’t wait for you to see the film Pat Steir: Artist.
We want thank you in advance for all your support and can’t wait for you to see the film Pat Steir: Artist by Veronica Gonzalez Peña.
Some of our rewards . . .
* * * Feel free to message us with any questions about a particular reward. Please note that some of the photos depict versions or prototypes of the reward you will be receiving (such as the ladder, the silk-screened poster, and the monoprint, since they are unique) and will be slightly varied. We will add in more up-to-date photos as we get all the rewards in one place!
And another short clip . . .
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Risks and challenges
This is Veronica Gonzalez Peña's fourth feature film. Her previous films have been smaller in scale and easier to fund. Due to the gravity and importance of this particular documentary, she felt the need to invest more in this film and thus reach out to others who might be interested in becoming part of the project.
Community is such an important element in Veronica’s collaborative project, rockypoint Press, so we wanted to open this project up so that others could be involved. We want to get the best post-production people we can to finish this film in the manner that it deserves.
There has been an overwhelming amount of interest in the project thus far, with several galleries and museums already expressing interest in screening; additionally, many have asked how they can help. We launched this Kickstarter campaign as a response to that question.
Rather than just offering financial support, this is a way to receive something connected to the film, and to Pat, in return. You will become a part of an amazing project about a key New York woman artist.
In addition to our Kickstarter campaign, the filmmaker and producers are pursuing in-kind donations and grants. We can't thank you enough for your interest and support!
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Funding period
- (30 days)