Soo Sunny "Park Unwoven Light" @ Rice Art Gallery

Another great sculptural installation at the Rice University Art Gallery.

Rice University Art Gallery: Never Stop Being Great

Yasuaki Onishi @ the Rice University Art + iPhone & Photosynth image stitcher = damn nice shots of a great show.

Yasuaki Onishi "Reverse of Volume" - Rice Art Gallery - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Yasuaki Onishi "Reverse of Volume" - Rice Art Gallery - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wayne White Has Left the Rice University Art Gallery

Wayne White Has Left the Building - Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

The Wayne White show ended this evening. Hours later, this is how the gallery looked.

Wayne White Review on 29-95: Looking Good All Around

My latest contribution to 29-95 (The passed-out passions of George Jones) was posted today. 371 words talking up the great Wayne White show at Rice U. Art Gallery. I had hit the gallery on Friday to take some pix and threw together the post over the weekend. The exhibition is a great one, and even if the galley wasn't paying for some of my bills, I would still be mighty impressed with what goes on there.

Wayne White - "BIG LECTRIC FAN TO KEEP ME COOL WHILE I SLEEP" (Panorama 3) @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX - 2009, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wayne White - "BIG LECTRIC FAN TO KEEP ME COOL WHILE I SLEEP" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX - 2009, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wayne White - "BIG LECTRIC FAN TO KEEP ME COOL WHILE I SLEEP" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX - 2009, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wayne White - "BIG LECTRIC FAN TO KEEP ME COOL WHILE I SLEEP" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX - 2009, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Wayne White: In Progress, At Rice University Art Gallery

As his Houston exhibition gets closer to opening, the Houston Chronicle has posted a good article/interview with the artist (Wayne White brings his wild imagination to Houston). Chronicle-affiliated blog, 29-95.com added loads of pictures of the work in progress (Wayne White creates giant George Jones head at Rice Gallery), and Rice Art Gallery contributed photos of their own (Facebook | Rice Gallery's Photos - In Progress).

Lastly, he will be having a book signing at the Brazo Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet, at 7pm.

Wayne White Rice U. Art Gallery

So, it is with much pleasure that I regain employment. Being an independent contractor means never having to ask for vacation (which was much enjoyed this summer). Punching the clock and having fun doing it has been a nice return to the working world.

The latest artist to be showing at Rice U. Art Gallery is Emmy Award-winning Wayne White. Set/puppet designer for Pee-Wee's Playhouse, he made a name for himself with a collection of text-based paintings.
At the gallery he is mixing the two together.

Looks great. Pictures to follow.

Rice Art Gallery: Video from Now and Then

I've written much about the Rice U. Art Gallery. But pictures = 1000 words, and video = duration x (pictures x 24 per second). The Rice U. Art Gallery Channel on YouTube has added new videos recently including the ones below. Also on YouTube, nice amateur videos of David Ellis's 2006 show, "Conversation" and Kirsten Hassenfeld's "Dans la Lune" from 2007. I particularly enjoy the time -lapse of the Henrique Oliveira and the "holy-crap-this-is-cool" narration on the David Ellis "green show" video.

Pix of Henrique Oliveira @ Rice U. Art Gallery

Since the cat decided to kill our camera, I won't be taking any pictures until we get a replacement. Fortunately, other people have better behaved pets. So here's a link to great photos of the new Rice University Art Gallery show courtesy of Fiery Laundry.

The Next Show: Henrique Oliveira @ Rice University Art Gallery

The Henrique Oliveira show is what I've been assisting with for the last few weeks. The piece he created often had four assistants working, it was that large and involved.




The above invitation photo is just a small detail of the huge wall-mounted installation that Henrique created for the Rice Gallery. Their website has in-progress photos of the now-completed artwork.

Brazilian TV channel featured Henrique on their show Metrópolis (video), but unless you understand Portuguese just go the Rice Gallery's page hosting the video with translation.

If you are in Houston, the Thursday evening opening and Friday lunch/lecture with artist are free and public. If you have the time, you can't beat the price. And the art is pretty fantastic to boot.

And lastly, if you enjoy the show you'll be in good company, Kanye West likes Henrique Oliveira.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Artist's Website - Henrique Oliveira

Facebook | Rice Gallery

Russians and Other Space People At Rice U. Art Gallery

Being a freelancer, I'm happy to be working in a time that many are not.  The last month was a little dry, so the offer to be a gallery attendant at the Rice U. Art Gallery was appreciated.  And this weekend was an interesting one to be sitting at the front desk.

1) LARPing around: Saturday, a geektastic horde descended on the Sewall Hall, for it was time yet again for OwlCon.  Sci-fi fans gathered to roleplay, with the Houston Browncoats living in the world of Firefly/Serenity, if only for the weekend.  Other activities included Head-to-Head Miniatures Painting Competition, which I missed (meaning "missed"), being stationed in the lobby.

2) NASA via Moscow:  Sunday, a group of six came to the gallery space.  All were speaking Russian.  When asked if he could speak any English, one replied very little and offered by explanation that they were mission specialists from Moscow working at the Johnson Space Center.  So, if the next addition to the international space station resembles a FEMA trailer with bamboo cabinets,  you know where the influence came from.

And that was my weekend.

Art After Disaster - Paul Villinski and Banksy In New Orleans

Paul Villinski - "Emergency Response Studio" at Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

The Rice University Art Gallery opened its exhibition of Paul Villinski's "Emergency Response Studio" last week. Villinksi's idea was this; artists should be embedded with other post-disaster emergency responders and this retrofitted trailer a prototype to aid in that process. Friday, I attended the artist lecture and free lunch that accompanies every exhibition the galley has. For an artist working on "A Big Idea" he was free of the pretensions that might make a person skeptical of the merits and/or success of the concept. His interview on KUHF does a nice job of putting the project in context.

That being said, another artist immediately came to mind who provided timely and worthy art to the people of New Orleans after Katrina hit. The work British street artist Banksy created in New Orleans required a little more than plane ticket and some cans of spray paint. It wasn't created in a studio nor limited to the confines of a gallery. He (assuming the unknown artist is a he) put his critique of post-Katrina government action front-and-center of the people who were living through its failure. But the best reason to love his work is that it is really great art; concise, witty and completely relevant to its surroundings. And that is why I am always pleased when more work of his is made public.

From what I can gather most, if not all, of the Banksy's New Orleans public art has since been erased by the Gray Ghost.

Banksy Art in New Orleans, originally uploaded by howieluvzus.

Banksy in New Orleans, originally uploaded by Miz Bubbles.

banksy, originally uploaded by anthonyturducken.

No Such Thing As Too Much Giant Robot: Video of Michael Salter at RUAG

michael a. salter @ rice gallery | houston from michael a. salter on Vimeo.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Another install video, this time from the San Jose Museum of Art


giant styrobot from michael a. salter on Vimeo.

Michael Salter @ Rice U. Art Gallery

Giant robots.  IRL.  Nice.

Michael Salter  - "Too Much" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Michael Salter  - "Too Much" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Michael Salter  - "Too Much" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

The rest of my "Too Much" pictures here.

Opening Thursday - Michael Salter @ Rice University Art Gallery

Robot show at SJMA, originally uploaded by AstroGirl.

Building large robots is hard work. I should know, I've been working with artist Michael Salter on one of his styrobots. The standing robot above is from the San Jose Museum of Art. The Rice Gallery 'bot will be sitting, chilling in the corner.

It's another great show at the gallery. Every single person in the world should see this show.

Pictures of the installation and completed sculpture go online Thursday.

Photos: Aurora Robson "The Great Indoors" @ Rice University Art Gallery

More pictures of Aurora Robson at Rice U. Art Gallery. Why?... because! That's why.

There will be a new installation there opening on Nov. 6th. I'll be posting pictures of that one, too.

Aurora Robson "The Great Indoors" @ Rice University Art Gallery Panorama - Front View, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Aurora Robson "The Great Indoors" @ Rice University Art Gallery Panorama - Back Left Corner, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Aurora Robson "The Great Indoors" @ Rice University Art Gallery - Inside Dome, looking at "Scarlet Fever", originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Aurora Robson "The Great Outdoors" @ Rice University Art Gallery, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

 

Photo Slideshow: Aurora Robson "The Great Indoors" @ Rice University Art Gallery

An embedded slide show of installation and exhibition photos of Aurora Robson's "The Great Indoors" at the Rice University Art Gallery. Seriously good stuff.

The Big Project: Aurora Robson at Rice University Gallery

Works by Aurora Robson - Plan for an Installation, originally uploaded by hragvartanian.

Soon, there will be a post about the art installation duties that consumed me before, during and after the hurricane. Until then, the above model of Aurora Robson's installation at Rice University Gallery will have to do until I can post photos of the real thing.

For those of you in Houston (or not) this installation is a real treat, and one worth taking some time to see.

Wednesday NIght Photo Post: Rice University Gallery

Mark Fox "Dust" Installation, Rice U. Gallery, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Mark Fox "Dust" Installation, Rice U. Gallery, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Last few days have been spent working at Rice U.'s art gallery. Ever since seeing the Kirsten Hassenfeld show (pictures here,) I had hopes of working the gallery space. And so I have on a few recent occasions.

The latest show is the gallery's summer show. While the venue is closed, an installation is chosen that can be viewed through the glass front of the exhibition space. This summer, artist Mark Fox was invited to show his installation piece "Dust". A visual catalog of almost his material possessions, the show is a massive collection of drawn items pinned to the wall. An expansive beauty of a show, and I got to work alongside the artist.

Rice does no favors for the art-loving public wishing to visit, as paid parking is the only option. That being said this a show that will be up for the summer months and well worth the couple of bucks that will be charged (on debit or credit card.)

More info:

Rice Art Gallery campus location, info and map - Google Maps

Kirsten Hassenfeld at Rice U. Gallery, Too Much Stuff & Mama Cat T-Shirt

Kirsten Hassenfeld @ Rice U. Gallery, Houston, TX, originally uploaded by Mr. Kimberly.

Last week, I went to the opening of Kirsten Hassenfeld's opening at the Rice University Gallery. It was worth dealing with the stupid parking situation because the show is a beauty. My pictures don't do justice to the large, delicate, nuanced pieces.

I would have attended her free lecture the following day, but I promised a neighbor that I would help him move. He was moving his girlfriend back to Boston. Having moved cross-country three time in the last eight years, I knew wouldn't fit all the stuff in the 12-foot truck he rented. As we packed his truck and there was less and less room, I told him that he should get a 16-foot truck. He said that it would all fit. It didn't.

I now have a large box of really nice, gourmet food, four folding chairs and a new TV.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

My sweetie is modeling my favorite shirt I never wear. I worked an Asian art show in Vegas years ago. All the shipping and packing materials had this great mama/baby cat logo. I asked if they had any extra t-shirts, and the gift-prone Japanese guests gave me this one. They must have thought that I doubled in size when I left the museum because they got me a XL when I'm a M. I would wear this all the time if it wasn't a circus tent on me.

It's a perfect shirt for mom-to-be.