A group of 8 artists lived in a mall for 4 years — this documentary uncovers their secret world

Salon - Mar 21st, 2025

A new documentary titled 'Secret Mall Apartment' directed by Jeremy Workman and produced by Jesse Eisenberg unveils the astonishing story of eight artists led by Michael Townsend who secretly lived in a self-made apartment within the Providence Place Mall in Rhode Island from 2003 to 2007. This hidden residence, referred to as a 'work of art' and 'performance art,' was built in an unused area of the mall, equipped with furniture, a TV, and even a waffle iron. The documentary captures this remarkable tale of creativity and defiance, fueled by Townsend’s statement against gentrification and consumerism.

The film provides an in-depth look at Townsend and his group's motivations, revealing how their four-year covert existence served as both an art project and a social critique. This story, rooted in themes of resistance, privilege, and the social dynamics of urban spaces, offers a unique perspective on issues like gentrification and capitalism. The documentary also explores the artists' diverse interpretations of their actions, ranging from performance art to an ingenious prank, highlighting the subjective nature of art and rebellion. With the movie now set to screen at the very mall where the events took place, it offers a captivating narrative on the interplay between space, identity, and art.

Documentary Michael Townsend Jeremy Workman Jesse Eisenberg Secret Mall Apartment Providence Place Mall Performance Art Gentrification Consumerism

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an engaging and largely accurate account of the 'Secret Mall Apartment' story, supported by credible sources like the documentary and interviews with the filmmaker. It effectively balances the artistic and rebellious aspects of the project, though it could benefit from a wider range of perspectives to enhance depth and impartiality. The story is timely and relevant, addressing cultural and societal issues that resonate with contemporary audiences. While it captures attention and encourages discussion, its impact on broader societal changes may be limited by its niche focus. Overall, the article is well-written, clear, and engaging, making it accessible to a general audience while provoking thoughtful consideration of the themes it presents.

Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate account of the events surrounding the 'Secret Mall Apartment' documentary. It correctly identifies Michael Townsend and his group of artists living secretly in a Providence mall from 2003 to 2007, as confirmed by multiple sources. The documentary's production details, including its direction by Jeremy Workman and production by Jesse Eisenberg, are also accurate. However, the article could benefit from additional verification on certain aspects, such as the exact legal consequences faced by Townsend and the specific motivations behind the artists' actions, which are described in broad terms. The story's claims about the artists' motivations and the societal commentary they intended to make are generally supported by the documentary and other sources, but these interpretations could be subjective and warrant further exploration.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the events, offering perspectives from both the artists involved and the filmmaker. It highlights the artistic and rebellious nature of the project while also acknowledging the potential legal and ethical implications. However, it could have included more viewpoints, such as those from mall authorities or legal experts, to provide a fuller picture of the situation. The focus is primarily on the artists' narrative, which may lead to an imbalance in presenting the story's broader impact on the community or legal system.

Clarity

The article is well-written and structured, making it easy to follow the narrative of the 'Secret Mall Apartment' story. It uses clear language and a logical flow to present the events and the documentary's themes. The tone is engaging and captures the reader's interest, although it sometimes leans towards being overly enthusiastic about the artistic aspects of the story. The clarity is generally high, but the article could benefit from more precise definitions of key terms, such as 'performance art' and 'resistance,' to enhance comprehension.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on the documentary and interviews with the filmmaker, which are credible sources for the story being told. However, there is a lack of diversity in sources, as it does not include perspectives from mall management, law enforcement, or independent experts who could provide additional context or verification. This reliance on a limited number of sources may affect the depth and impartiality of the reporting.

Transparency

The article is transparent about its sources, primarily drawing from the documentary and interviews with the filmmaker. However, it lacks a detailed explanation of how the information was gathered or verified beyond these interviews. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, such as the relationship between the journalist and the filmmaker, which could affect the story's impartiality. Overall, the transparency is adequate but could be improved with more detailed source attributions and disclosures.