Charles De Agustins Free Samples An Artistic Exploration Of Consumer Culture

The provided source material reveals that "Free Samples" is actually a short film by artist Charles de Agustin, rather than information about traditional product sampling programs. This work was presented at the "How to Survive the Food Industry" event organized by the Vegetarian Society of South Jersey. The film was featured alongside other student works as part of a presentation that included a Q&A with chef Andrew Dudich and a special phone-in by journalist and author Kristin Lawless, with complimentary vegan snacks provided by Love Corn and Fili Kale. The event was free to attend.

Charles de Agustin is an artist based in New York, primarily creating films through writing and speaking. His research encompasses a wide range of concepts including administration, critique, capture, didacticism, discipline, insurgency, necrophilanthropy, organizing, performance, poetry, and study. According to his official website, de Agustin's work often exists in "postinternet spaces of critical unknowing and transition," frequently exploring contemporary masculinity.

Artistic Background and Career

Charles de Agustin holds a BFA in filmmaking and philosophy from Rutgers University and an MFA in studio art from the University of Oxford. He also participated in the Rupert Alternative Education Programme. His academic background has clearly influenced his artistic approach, which combines film with other forms of expression and critical inquiry.

As an educator, de Agustin has been faculty at Syracuse University, the School of Visual Arts, and the School of Making Thinking, with guest lectures at institutions including Sarah Lawrence College and Ohio State University since 2021. Alongside his teaching positions, he has worked in nonprofit art spaces.

His work has received recognition through various grants and awards, including support from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (2025), New York State Council on the Arts (2024), Brooklyn Arts Council (2024), The Elephant Trust (2021), and the Mansfield-Ruddock Art Prize (2021). De Agustin was also selected for New Contemporaries 2021 (UK) and received a Significant Achievement Award at Alternative Film/Video 2024 (Belgrade).

Exhibition History and Screenings

Charles de Agustin's films have been showcased at numerous prestigious venues and festivals internationally. His solo and group presentations through 2025 include:

• Alternative Film/Video (Serbia)
• Ann Arbor Film Festival (US)
• Auto Italia (UK)
• Badnam Film Festival (India)
• Film-Makers' Cooperative (US)
• Gene Siskel Film Center (US)
• ISFF Nijmegen (Netherlands)
• Kassel Dokfest (Germany)
• Revolutions per Minute Festival (US)
• Saigon Experimental Film Festival (Vietnam)
• South London Gallery / New Contemporaries (UK)
• Spectacle (US)
• Vox Populi (US)
• XINEMA (Canada)

His work has been featured in publications such as Filmmaker Magazine, cinemóvil nyc / Printed Matter, and Screen Slate, indicating his recognition within the contemporary art and film communities.

"Free Samples" in Context

The film "Free Samples" was presented as part of the "How to Survive the Food Industry" event by the Vegetarian Society of South Jersey. This context is significant as it positions the work within a critical examination of food systems and industry practices. The event included complementary vegan snacks from Love Corn and Fili Kale, suggesting a connection between the film's content and broader discussions about food consumption, ethics, and industry practices.

While the specific content of "Free Samples" is not detailed in the provided source material, its inclusion in this particular event indicates a likely exploration of themes related to food industry practices, consumer culture, or sampling within the context of food production and distribution.

The "Present" Project

In addition to his film work, Charles de Agustin is involved with "Present," a project that appears to be evolving into various formats including potentially text-based online content, an experimental press, and lecture-performances. The project explores questions related to work, solidarity, and play, suggesting an ongoing investigation into the nature of artistic presentation and participation.

"Present" has featured various contributors and events, including a B-Roll Zine Bazaar at Monira Foundation where de Agustin sold his 2023 book "Hook" and assembled printed matter from contributors including Emily R. Apter, Jemma Desai, Lydia Rosenberg, Lily Jue Sheng, and Francis Whorrall-Campbell.

The project has hosted online discussions with figures like Kelly Lloyd, creator of "This Thing We Call Art" podcast, and Tenzin Phuntsog, indicating its focus on conversations around artistic livelihoods and presentation in contemporary contexts.

Artistic Themes and Approach

Based on the available information, Charles de Agustin's work appears to engage with themes of institutional critique, elite capture, and the boundaries between different forms of expression. His practice "tends to scavenge at the boundaries of institutional critique and elite capture," suggesting an examination of power structures within cultural institutions.

His work often combines film with other forms including performance, poetry, and writing, creating multidisciplinary experiences that challenge traditional boundaries between artistic practices. The source material describes his approach as involving "collective study and organizing alongside jobs in arts nonprofits and university teaching," indicating a connection between his artistic practice and broader social engagement.

Curatorial Work

Beyond his individual artistic practice, Charles de Agustin is also involved in curatorial work through the NOFLASH Video Show, an annual event in New Brunswick, NJ focused on new work from emerging time-based artists and filmmakers, both local and international. This curatorial project demonstrates his commitment to fostering emerging talent and building community within the contemporary art scene.

The "Little Poem" and Artistic Expression

Source [6] appears to contain a poem or text by Charles de Agustin that includes references to "Seduction from Whole Foods" and "Stealing from Whole Foods." While the full context of this work is not provided in the source material, these references suggest an engagement with consumer culture, commercial spaces, and perhaps the ethics of consumption within contemporary society. The text contains various other references to urban experiences, social interactions, and political statements, indicating a complex engagement with contemporary life.

Conclusion

The provided source material does not contain information about traditional product samples, promotional offers, or freebie programs. Instead, it reveals that "Free Samples" is a short film by artist Charles de Agustin that was presented at a Vegetarian Society of South Jersey event focused on the food industry. The film appears to be part of a broader artistic practice that examines consumer culture, institutional critique, and the boundaries between different forms of expression.

Charles de Agustin's work encompasses film, performance, poetry, and curatorial projects, with a focus on themes of contemporary masculinity, postinternet spaces, and critical inquiry. His films have been screened internationally, and he has received recognition through various grants and awards. In addition to his artistic practice, he is involved in education, having taught at several universities and art institutions.

The "Present" project represents another facet of his practice, exploring questions related to artistic presentation and participation through discussions, publications, and events. His curatorial work through the NOFLASH Video Show further demonstrates his commitment to fostering emerging talent and building community within the contemporary art scene.

Sources

1. How to Survive the Food Industry Presentation
2. Charles de Agustin Official Website
3. Rupert Artist Profile
4. UnionDocs Artist Profile
5. Present Project Page
6. Poetry Publication