Todd Tourso: Sleep Now In The Fire

Baert Gallery presents Sleep Now In The Fire, a 10-minute short film by Todd Tourso. On view from January 17 to February 7 2026, the exhibition centers on a large-scale projection of the film, presented in a darkened gallery space to fully immerse viewers in its atmosphere. Accompanying the projection is a series of photographs drawn directly from the film, extending its visual language into still form and offering an additional perspective on Tourso’s cinematic approach.

Sleep Now In The Fire explores the concept of liberation theology and was inspired by Tourso’s work with Rage Against The Machine. Christianity is a source of hope, strength, and identity for a large part of the world’s population and its iconography changed the art, beliefs and traditions of many native cultures. Western religion is also one of the greatest tools of oppression. The Crusades were the blueprint for the colonization of the Americas. Sleep Now In The Fire reframes the archetypal story of a suffering God resurrected, into a metaphor for the liberation of the poor and politically oppressed.  Shot on location in Tlalnepantla, Desierto de los Leones, Nezahualcoyotl, Chimalhuacan, and Playa Chacalacas during the summer of 2022; the film is a visual meditation on death, rebirth, and resilience.

Seventy percent of all edition sales will be donated to The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in support of social and political change for our immigrant communities.

CHIRLA was founded in 1986 to advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees. CHIRLA became a place for organizations and people who support human rights to work together for policies that advance justice and full inclusion for all immigrants.

Todd Tourso is a director and multi-disciplinary designer, born and raised in Los Angeles California. He began his career at Flaunt Magazine and went on to work as creative director for Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Rage Against The Machine, and Nine Ince Nails. In 2016 Tourso co-directed Beyoncé: Lemonade, winning the 2016 Peabody Award, the 2016 MTV VMA Award for Breakthrough Long Form Video, and garnering a Grammy and Emmy nomination. His most recent achievements include directing the short film, “Pupil King” starring Jerrod Carmichael and Henry Taylor, for Louis Vuitton.

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