A group of eight artists, led by Michael Townsend, spent four years living in secret apartment within a Providence Place mall. The unusual space was created by loading in furniture and other essentials through a tiny window and had become like a "sitcom set" to them.
The artists, all young at the time, used the space as an artistic endeavor. To create it they stole electricity from a wall socket, ran on extension cords and built this small space with dozens of blocks. The apartment was not meant for four years but more as an art piece.
Townsend had made a statement against gentrification and consumerism by living in secret. His subversive act inspired his friends to join him.
The documentary follows the story behind the secret apartment, the artists who built it, and their motivations. Jeremy Workman, director of the film, was attracted to Townsend's work and discovered the incredible true story when they met while filming "Lily Topples the World."
Filmmaker Jeremy Workman has been fascinated by this extraordinary true story for many years, until he finally convinced Michael Townsend, along with his other co-conspirators, that it would be worth telling.
While capturing their experiences as an artist, Workman had to confront technical challenges, including footage recorded on consumer-grade cameras and low-quality formats. The documentary features stunning visualizations of the space through reenactments.
The apartment remains a subject for social commentary, particularly in relation to gentrification and suburban living.
Townsend, along with his friends, used this space as an act of resistance against capitalism and consumerism. While they knew it was likely going to be detected, they wanted to explore the possibilities of what art could do by taking risks like that.
After 17 years, Jeremy Workman finally convinced Michael Townsend and his co-conspirators that their incredible true story needed a film.
The documentary raises questions about performance art, class, race, gentrification and consumerism. It also provides an inspiring story to show how creativity can transform spaces into something special - an idea made of imagination and vision.
"Secret Mall Apartment" is now streaming on Netflix.
The artists, all young at the time, used the space as an artistic endeavor. To create it they stole electricity from a wall socket, ran on extension cords and built this small space with dozens of blocks. The apartment was not meant for four years but more as an art piece.
Townsend had made a statement against gentrification and consumerism by living in secret. His subversive act inspired his friends to join him.
The documentary follows the story behind the secret apartment, the artists who built it, and their motivations. Jeremy Workman, director of the film, was attracted to Townsend's work and discovered the incredible true story when they met while filming "Lily Topples the World."
Filmmaker Jeremy Workman has been fascinated by this extraordinary true story for many years, until he finally convinced Michael Townsend, along with his other co-conspirators, that it would be worth telling.
While capturing their experiences as an artist, Workman had to confront technical challenges, including footage recorded on consumer-grade cameras and low-quality formats. The documentary features stunning visualizations of the space through reenactments.
The apartment remains a subject for social commentary, particularly in relation to gentrification and suburban living.
Townsend, along with his friends, used this space as an act of resistance against capitalism and consumerism. While they knew it was likely going to be detected, they wanted to explore the possibilities of what art could do by taking risks like that.
After 17 years, Jeremy Workman finally convinced Michael Townsend and his co-conspirators that their incredible true story needed a film.
The documentary raises questions about performance art, class, race, gentrification and consumerism. It also provides an inspiring story to show how creativity can transform spaces into something special - an idea made of imagination and vision.
"Secret Mall Apartment" is now streaming on Netflix.
. I mean, think about it, these eight artists were basically living in a capitalist paradise, surrounded by consumerism and gentrification, and they chose to revolt against it by creating their own little space. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know you've got your fancy malls and shopping centers, but what about us? What about our art, our creativity?" 
I'm literally dying over this docu about Michael Townsend & his squad living in a secret apartment within a mall 4 yrs ago!!! 
it's like a sitcom set or something! and can we talk about the artistry tho?? they created this whole space outta nothin' using extension cords & blocks... i mean what even is that?! 
. I'm curious to see how people will react to this on Netflix - will it spark some conversations about gentrification and consumerism? I'd love to see if it inspires more artists to take risks like this.
. What took them so long to make it? Wasn't it a no-brainer for Netflix to pick it up when Jeremy Workman was talking about it all those years ago? Guess you can never really know what goes on behind the scenes, though 
. And the fact that it was hidden in a mall, of all places, is just genius 
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. I love how the docu doesn't shy away from exploring these issues, but also highlights the power of creativity to transform spaces 
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! I love how the director Jeremy Workman got on board with the project and helped bring this incredible story to life 
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. It's not just a fun story about living in a weird space – it's also got some real substance to it 
? Mind blown! 
, it shows they were really committed to bringing this story to life. It's also crazy to think about how this apartment has become a symbol of resistance against capitalism and consumerism 
. I'm intrigued by the themes of gentrification and suburban living that come up in this doco.
. The artists' willingness to take risks like stealing electricity and building a tiny apartment on a whim shows you don't need fancy studios or expensive equipment to make art happen 
Either way, it's gonna be a wild watch on Netflix... but don't expect me to be all smiles about it 
. The art piece thingy is cool and all, but I'd rather see some real change in the world before I get all jazzed about some artists living in secret 
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. I mean, come on, someone actually thinks it's a good idea to live in secret apartment within a mall for 4 years and then make a whole film out of it? The production quality looks super low-key (pun intended) – those consumer-grade cameras are so basic 
. And don't even get me started on the reenactments, they're just as cringeworthy 
. Can we just give credit to the artists who actually created this masterpiece without turning it into a 'documentary' that's all about how they did it? I mean, what's next? A film about people playing video games for 24/7?