The Yes Men + The Good Liars

In 2024 More Art commissioned a collaborative project between the renowned artist-activist collective The Yes Men and the popular online comedy duo The Good Liars (Jason Selvig and Davram Stiefler). The project was unveiled during More Art’s 20th Anniversary Gala and aimed to create a dialogue around and confront the looming threat of public housing destruction in Chelsea and other areas of New York City.

The work undertaken by these two experimental media collectives was rooted in More Art’s commitment to housing as a crucial issue in New York City, and the artists’ shared commitment to social justice and activism through their artistic practice. At the heart of the project is a facilitated collaboration between the artists and Save Section 9, a national advocacy group dedicated to protecting and expanding public housing, particularly Section 9 housing. The section 9 housing program offers lifelong security to those who need it most, including frontline workers, seniors, and people with disabilities who would otherwise not be able to afford rent in New York City. In Chelsea, Section 9 housing has become a vital part of the community, providing not just shelter but a sense of belonging, social services, and long-term stability in an increasingly gentrified city.

Central to the project is the issue of gentrification and a controversial proposal to privatize and demolish 2,065 units of section 9 affordable housing in Chelsea. Spearheaded by Related Companies, the firm behind the much maligned Hudson Yards development, the proposed demolition has been a lightning rod for criticism as it will certainly displace thousands of low income residents for an unspecified length of time. The Yes Men and The Good Liars, known for their ability to mix humor with political commentary, saw this as an opportunity to hold Related Companies and city officials accountable for their actions.

The project’s unveiling at the More Art gala involved a controversial performance that purposely disrupted the evening in order to raise awareness of the looming displacement of Chelsea neighbors to the art-world community in attendance. As part of the award ceremony, More Art presented a fake award to Related Companies for their proposed demolition of the Fulton and Elliot Houses in Chelsea — before the Yes Men at last revealed the hoax and the award was bestowed instead upon public housing advocates and residents, as artists and residents in the audience declared “Art Must Not Serve Displacement.”

Rolled into the performance were videos produced by The Good Liars of man-on-the-street interviews with Chelsea area residents, the collectives aimed to draw attention to the devastating impact of the destruction of public housing on vulnerable communities. This collaboration was designed not just as art but as a form of direct action—provocative, satirical, and deeply rooted in the real-life struggles of those facing displacement. The project has also served as a public outcry and a call to action, amplifying the work of Save Section 9 to organize the broader community, resist the privatization of public housing, and stand in solidarity with those fighting to save their homes.

By blending art, activism, and media, this project highlighted the power of creative expression in the fight for social justice. It underscored the importance of preserving public housing as a fundamental right, especially in neighborhoods like Chelsea where the pressures of gentrification are rapidly eroding the fabric of the long term community. As the project continues to unfold it aims to be a potent reminder of the ongoing battle to protect affordable housing and the people who rely on it.

Save Section 9 is a grassroots, tenant-led advocacy group dedicated to protecting and expanding public housing under Section 9 of the U.S. Housing Act. The organization works to ensure that all residents have access to safe, affordable housing and to fight against the displacement caused by urban redevelopment. Learn more at savesection9.org.

This project was supported in part by the Lambent Foundation; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and the The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation. More Art’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.