Nato Thompson

I write these occasionally. Trying to appreciate that the life of an artist is more than making art. It is a life made while making art with others.

I wrote these ten things this morning as I just wanted to affirm the complex, difficult road that artists travel. Rather than thinking of life as a career building exercise, I am hoping we see art as a way to build different values and relationships beyond the given world we have been handed.

Ten thoughts on art exhibitions I jotted down. I figure no reason to wait to get permission. Artists can show whenever they choose and make friends along the way. #artexhibitions #artistlife #makingalifeofart @thealternativeartschool

Thanks @yaelbartana thank you @tsqarts and thank you @_jeanie_c and team for an amazing midnight moment with Yael’s incredible film Farewell. One of the best artist of our generation

Critical Art Ensemble: The Artistic War Machine and the Anthropotechnical Arsenals of Revolt, by Lucas Fortunato New Autonomedia Title “Fortunato’s book ingeniously harnesses Critical Art Ensemble’s radical energy to reexamine avant-garde history — not for resolution but for transformation. It offers a powerful tool for confronting our current moment, where even the possibility of a better future seems to be vanishing. Read it urgently, discuss it thoroughly, and most importantly, put its lessons into immediate practice.” —— Gregory Sholette, artist, activist, and author of Dark Matter: Art and Politics in the Age of Enterprise Culture and The Art of Activism and the Activism of Art. “In this rigorous and readable volume, Lucas Fortunato employs scale as a productive method to examine the perpetually ‘para’ group, Critical Art Ensemble (CAE). He offers an adroit framing of CAE within the modern and postmodern Western avant-garde, while simultaneously providing a detailed reading of the group’s theoretical models and creative actions in their attempt to demystify and reimagine artistic, cultural, and sociopolitical landscapes over the course of nearly four decades.” —— Julie Ault, artist, curator, editor (including Alternative Art New York, 1965–1985), and cofounder of Group Material. “In this sharp and timely study, Lucas Fortunato reclaims Critical Art Ensemble as one of the great revolutionary artist collectives of the early 21st century. He reframes ‘tactical media’ not merely as new media practice, but as a method for navigating and disrupting the aesthetics of power. Fortunato sheds new light on how art can serve as strategic intervention in contested political terrain.” —— Nato Thompson, curator, self-described “cultural infrastructure builder,” and author of Seeing Power: Art and Activism in the 21st Century and Culture as Weapon: The Art of Influence in Everyday Life. Price: $24.95 ISBN: 97815702745458, paperbound, 328 pages, 6″x9″ trim, full color and black-and-white illustrations /product/critical-art-ensemble-the-artistic-war-machine-and-the-anthropotechnical-arsenals-of-revolt-by-lucas-fortunato/

For May’s #MidnightMoment, artist Yael Bartana [@yaelbartana ] invites viewers to embark on a transcendent spaceflight through the stars, on view nightly in Times Square from 11:57pm-12:00am through May 31 across 100+ electronic billboards. For the most central viewing location, experience the nightly Midnight Moment on the TKTS Red Steps on 47th street between Broadway and 7th Ave. Visit TSQ.org/YaelBartana to learn more about May’s Midnight Moment. Photography by Michael Hull #TimesSquare #TimesSquareArts #MidnightMoment #NYC PublicArt

On view nightly in May is ‘Farewell’ by artist Yael Bartana [@YaelBartana ], presented by Times Square Arts and guest curated by Nato Thompson [@natothompson ] with Dreaming in Public [@dreaming_in_public ]. In the work, May’s #MidnightMoment captures the anticipation leading up to the departure of a fictional spaceship destined for distant galaxies. Before embarking on this redemptive journey, humanity bids Earth goodbye in a choreographed ritual, choosing to leave our planet to heal itself. The dancers’ movements navigate the liminal space between our world and the unknown future, inviting viewers to join the great departure towards the new frontiers of outer space. The longest running and largest digital art program in the world, #MidnightMoment is on view from 11:57pm-12:00am nightly across 100+ electronic billboards who partner with us to promote public art in Times Square all year long. Visit TSQ.org/YaelBartana to learn more! Artwork excerpt courtesy of the artist. #TimesSquare #TimesSquareArts #MidnightMoment NYC PublicArt

So thankful to work with @artmarketproductions and @a21presents to bring forward the Sam Francisco Art Fair. Thanks to the great team and artists and galleries. Here are a few artists like @truleehall @anidashogun @jeremydeller @marylai.co Leandro Junior De Sousa with @tntartlab

San Francisco Art Fair opens tomorrow! The 2026 edition will feature a significant Public Projects program curated by the fair’s Artistic Director @NatoThompson . This year’s program engages the city’s cultural presence and amplifies AAPI voices, continuing #SanFranciscoArtFair’s commitment of providing a platform that celebrates diverse perspectives and pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. See you tomorrow as #SanFranciscoArtFair2026 opens 6–9PM The Opening Evening is presented by RBC Wealth Management (@rbcwealth_us ) 📍@fortmasoncenter 🗓️ April 16–19 Learn more about Public Projects,Theater Programming, and Around Town Events via link in bio 🔗

937! Nato Thompson @natothompson @dreaming_in_public @thealternativeartschool @atlartfair with @abigailbette @laguna_fantasma @iamyourbike Thanks to @artpapers @pistachiocake ND: @creativetime @e_flux @antonvidokle @powerhouse_arts @raqsmediacollective @taniabruguera @guadalupe__maravilla @jeremydeller @lexawalshstudios @tsqarts

Join us for a two-part talk moderated by co-curator of “Future Schools”, Nato Thompson, about the crisis of higher education across America. Joining Nato is former Dean of Columbia University School of the Arts, Carol Becker, and artist, writer, faculty member of The Cooper Union, Doug Ashford and artist and curator, Pyaari Azaadi. In Part 1 the presenters will ask what must be protected, what must be reimagined, and what must be allowed to change. Learn more about our presenters via the link in our bio. 🗓️ April 22, 2026 6–8pm 📍National Academy of Design 🔗Admission is free but reservations are required. RSVP via the link in our bio.