Charles Atlas has been a pioneering figure in the creation of time-based visual for over four decades, extending the limits of his media and forging new territory in a far-reaching range of genres, stylistic approaches, and techniques. Over the years he has made media/dance works, multi-channel video installations, feature-length documentaries, video art works for television, and live electronic performances.Throughout his career, he has consistently fostered collaborative relationships, working intimately with such artists and performers as Leigh Bowery, Michael Clark, Douglas Dunn, Marina Abramovic, Yvonne Rainer, Anohni, and most notably Merce Cunningham, for whom he served as filmmaker-in-residence for a decade from the early 1970s through 1983.Since 2003, Atlas has been interested in exploring different contexts that exploit the use of live video. Instant Fame (2003–06), consisted of a series of real-time video portraits of performers and artists created live in the gallery space. Recent live video/installations include: The Pedestrians, in collaboration with Mika Tajima at The South London Gallery (2011), and Charles Atlas and Collaborators at the Tate Modern (2013).Atlas has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, three “Bessie” (New York dance and Performance) Awards and was the 2006 recipient of the Foundation for Contemporary Arts’ John Cage Award.


Portrait photo by Glen Fogel.