Fort Thunder

Fort Thunder sign comparison

Fort Thunder (1995–2001) was a warehouse on the second floor of a pre-Civil War former textile factory in the Olneyville district of Providence, Rhode Island. From 1995 through 2001, the space was used as a venue for underground music and events, as well as a living and working space for the artists. Fort Thunder was started by Mat Brinkman and Brian Chippendale, who were the space's original residents along with Rob Coggeshal and Freddy Jones.^[1] Fort Thunder was known for its colorful posters promoting shows posted on walls around Providence. At various times they hosted costumed wrestling and Halloween mazes. The group of artists who lived and worked there is also sometimes referred to as "Fort Thunder."

Since the closure of Fort Thunder in 2001, former residents and friends of Fort Thunder have received acclaim in many areas, particularly in the genres of noise rock, alternative comics, and contemporary art. Members of Forcefield, a collaborative project started at Fort Thunder, had their artwork included in the 2002 Whitney Biennial. In 2006, the Museum of Art at Rhode Island School of Design exhibited Wunderground: Providence, 1995 to the Present, an exhibition focusing on the underground art and music scene of Providence, with major reference to and inclusion of artists connected to Fort Thunder.^[2]

In 2001, the building was demolished by Feldco developers to make way for the parking lot of a Shaw's grocery store and a Staples, both of which closed soon after opening.

References

External links

• Looking for Graphic Lightning From Fort Thunder The New York Times review of the Wunderground: Providence 1995 to the present show at RISD, including many Fort Thunder artists
• Some Thoughts on RISD's WUNDERGROUND from someone who was here and there. The online version of a print essay by Raphael Lyon on the subject.
• Fort Thunder Archive Archive of photos from old Fort Thunder web site.
• Fort Thunder - Mini Documentary