Projects & Events

Special projects and events for Texas Contemporary 2012 shortly.

Texas Contemporary 2011 Special Events & Projects

special project

PLUS SIGN, Andy Coolquitt

Presented by Blaffer Gallery - University of Houston

Known for sculptures made of joined pipes, broom handles, discarded lighters, beer bottles, light bulbs, straws, and crayons, Coolquitt's assembled works are minimalist, ordered rearrangements of the raw world from which their components are sourced. Plus Sign will consist of four unique installations set within the intersection of large 3/4" clear Plexiglas sheets. Creating four corner platforms within this larger structure or pavilion, the work will exist within the separate, yet transparent environments and fully function in each. Using a vocabulary of humble materials, the individual installations will employ a variety of every day and modified objects.

"Solar Nothing", Edgar Orlaineta

Presented by Steve Turner Contemporary

Steve Turner Contemporary is pleased to present Solar Nothing, a solo exhibition by Mexico City- based artist Edgar Orlaineta. It features a group of sculptures inspired by Charles Eames' 1958 Solar Toy. Though the toy was never mass-produced, and the original toy is now lost, it did receive a lot of attention which Orlaineta has rediscovered through his extensive research. Based on his findings, he has produced new versions of the toy applying the traditional Mexican craft of Hojalateria (artistic tinware) to recycled aluminum cans. While Orlaineta's project fits squarely within his artistic practice of recontextualizing modern design to demonstrate aesthetic, and social values, it also reveals the irony of Alcoa supporting alternative energy in the 1950s considering its more recent environmental record.

The Time Travel Research Institute Presents, Patrick Turk

Presented by Art League Houston

Six light sculptures combine three-dimensional collage with electronic mechanisms, LED technology and futuristic design. Each light sculpture contains a complex three-dimensional collage that relates to a significant time in history, ranging from the evolution of the dinosaurs to the adventures of the Wild Wild West and alternative realities of the near and far future. The collages incorporate multiple layers of pop culture imagery which have been meticulously hand carved from various picture books such as children's comics, science-fiction novels, encyclopedias, history books and scientific diagrams and generate a multidimensional surface across which, time has literally been smeared.

"Passage", Paul Vllinski

Presented by Morgan Lehman Gallery

"Passage," by Paul Vllinski, a tour-de-force sculpture of a 33' glider enveloped by 1000 black butterflies, described by the Wall Street Journal as "Overtly literal, yet Hitchcockian, a nightmare and a metaphor for liberation…."

Going Undercover, Ariane Roesch

Large scale site specific installation by Ariane Roesch repurposing an industrial shipping container as an interactive walkway using electroluminescent lights.

"El Diablo Inn", Tracey Snelling

Presented by Rena Bransten Gallery

From Bordertown (2010), a series of models at different scales that one might see in a small town in rural California.

The Insperity Golf Experience

Presented by Discovery Green

By showing their pass, visitors to the Texas Contemporary Art Fair receive one free Insperity Golf Experience ticket for every ticket purchased.

The Insperity Golf Experience is a new fall attraction to Discovery Green, Houston’s Downtown Park. This nine-hole miniature golf course with artfully crafted holes created by a diverse group of Houston artists curated by Clint Willour. The artists who created the golf holes include The Art Guys, Elaine Bradford, Bill Davenport, Noah Edmundson, GONZO 247 of Aerosol Warfare, Jonathan Leach, Jason Makepeace, Seth Mittag, Anthony Thompson Schumate, and Emily Sloan.

"Out of Site - Out of Sight", Jason Willaford

Presented by Boltax Gallery

The recent onslaught of petroleum related events and our ongoing addiction - the dichotomy of our love/hate relationship with oil is a never ending endeavor. These chromed oil barrels are the "bronzed baby shoes" of past, present, and future generations. As we look for renewable resources of energy let us not forget what got us this far. These barrels reflect our surroundings, skies and horizon lines. Project "Chrome the waste". "be out of sight" ; but it will never be" out of site ".

CAMH Benefit Preview Party

Open to Benefit Preview Party Ticket Holders
Thursday, October 20 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Exhibit Floor

Proceeds from our opening night preview will be donated to Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Complimentary food and drinks will be served including sparkling wine, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages.

VIP Preview Party

Open to Benefit Preview Party Ticket Holders and VIP Pass Holders
Thursday, October 20 | 7:30pm - 10:00pm | Exhibit Floor

The preview party continues from 7:30PM until 10:00PM and is open to all VIP Pass holders and Benefit Preview Party Ticket holders. Complimentary drinks will be served including sparkling wine, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages.

Vault with excerpts from Torn

Thursday, October 20 | Exhibit Floor

DiverseWorks presents Amy Ell/ Vault with excerpts from Torn that recently premiered at DiverseWorks. Vault is an aerial dance company that challenges the conventions of traditional dance with a gravity-defying movement aesthetic. Ell’s newest work Torn utilizes tools of harnesses and bungee to symbolize the pull of life, addressing how people move throughout life in different directions, down different pathways.

Video Program

Open to all Fair Attendees
During Fair Hours | Replayed Several Times Daily | Video Theater

A selection of compelling video shorts from our exhibiting galleries. Works include:

Edgar Orlaineta Discusses His "Solar Nothing" Installation

Open to All Fair Attendees
Friday, October 21 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM | Discussion Theater

Steve Turner Contemporary is pleased to present Solar Nothing, a solo exhibition by Mexico City- based artist Edgar Orlaineta. It features a group of sculptures inspired by Charles Eames' 1958 Solar Toy. Though the toy was never mass-produced, and the original toy is now lost, it did receive a lot of attention which Orlaineta has rediscovered through his extensive research. Based on his findings, he has produced new versions of the toy applying the traditional Mexican craft of Hojalateria (artistic tinware) to recycled aluminum cans. While Orlaineta's project fits squarely within his artistic practice of recontextualizing modern design to demonstrate aesthetic, and social values, it also reveals the irony of Alcoa supporting alternative energy in the 1950s considering its more recent environmental record. Solar Nothing installation will be on display at the fair.

Art as an Investment

Open to All Fair Attendees
Friday, October 21 | 3:00PM - 4:00PM | Discussion Theater

A panel discussion for art collectors and investors ranging from the novice to expert focused on investment and risk management issues of collecting. The panelists are William Goldberg, Regional Director and Principal, Bernstein Global Wealth Management and currently Board President of the Contemporary Arts Museum and Edward Schreiber, President, Gem Insurance Agencies LP and a member of CAMH's Collector's Circle. The panel's moderator is Reggie Smith, former Board Chairman and President of the Contemporary Arts Museum and noted collector.

Traditional Techniques in Contemporary Photography

Open to All Fair Attendees
Friday, October 21 | 4:30PM - 5:30PM | Discussion Theater

A panel discussion organized by the Houston Center for Photography, moderated by Wade Wilson, of Wade Wilson Art. This panel discussion explores the continually growing merger of analog and digital photographic practices accessible today. Clint Willour, Curator of the Galveston Arts Center, and photographers Joni Sternbach and Will Michaels speak from the points of view of both creators and collectors. Discussion will be followed by a short tour with Clint Willour and Bevin Bering Dubrowski, Executive Director of HCP, pointing out a few examples of the techniques discussed.

Young Professionals Evening @ Texas Contemporary

Invitation Only
Friday, October 21 | 5:00PM - 7:30PM

A gathering of several Houston young professional groups at the Texas Contemporary Art Fair followed by a private party and gallery crawl.

Be Here Now: The Demands of Temporary Art

Open to All Fair Attendees
Saturday, October 22 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM | Discussion Theater

Organized by MKG Art Management with panelists Kimberly Davenport, Rice University Art Gallery, Cecily Horton, MKG Art Management and artists Dan Havel and Dean Ruck. From Goldsworthy to graffiti, from Christo to the Serpentine pavilions. What is its impact, its lasting value?

The Collector, The Patron, and The Museum: Strategies for Collecting Today

Open to All Fair Attendees
Saturday, October 22 | 1:30PM - 2:30PM | Discussion Theater

A discussion lead by Fairfax Dorn, Executive Director and Co-Founder Ballroom Marfa with Valerie Cassel Oliver, Senior Curator, The Contemporary Art Museum, Houston , Alison de Lima Greene, Curator of Contemporary Art & Special Projects, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and Toby Kamps, Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art , The Menil Collection

Legitimizing Trash and Gentrifying Icky: Castoff Serendipity

Open to All Fair Attendees
Saturday, October 22 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM | Discussion Theater

A lecture by artist Dan Phillips, sponsored by Smither Park.

State of the Art Scene: Then and Now

Open to All Fair Attendees
Sunday, October 23 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM | Discussion Theater

Presented by Papercity's Catherine D. Anspon featuring four artists from her renowned book Texas Artists Today, including H.J. Bott; followed by a book signing.

Paul Villinski Discusses His Work and the Creation of "Passage"

Open to All Fair Attendees
Sunday, October 23 | 3:00PM - 4:00PM | Discussion Theater

Paul Villinski discusses his work and the creation of "Passage," a tour-de-force sculpture of a 33' glider enveloped by 1000 black butterflies, described by the Wall Street Journal as "Overtly literal, yet Hitchcockian, a nightmare and a metaphor for liberation…." Presented by Morgan Lehman Gallery. Passage installation will be on display at the fair.

Off-Site Tours - Private, Corporate and Museum Collections

Exclusive Invites for VIP Pass Holders - Reservations Required
Thursday, Friday & Saturday

A series of eight off-site tours at some of Houston's most treasured private/corporate collections as well as several exclusive museum tours. Reservations required. Exclusive to VIP Pass and Benefit Preview Party Pass holders. Check your VIP Card or VIP/Benefit electronic confirmation for instructions on how to RSVP for off site tours.

On-Site Fair Tours

Open to All Fair Attendees - No Reservation Required
Saturday 4:00 PM & Sunday 2:00PM | Meet In Front of Cafe

on-site tours of the Texas Contemporary exhibiting galleries to be held during fair hours. Get an inside perspective on the fair's highlights. No reservations required. Meet in front of the Cafe 15 minutes prior to scheduled tour time.

Collector / Gallerist Party

Invitation Only - RSVP Required
Saturday, October 22 | 8:00pm - 10:00pm | Collector Home

An off site party dedicated to the collectors, gallerists and host committee members who helped make the Texas Contemporary Art Fair possible. Transportation to and from the George R. Brown Convention Center provided. Invitation only.

MRKTworks Charity Auction Program

Available Online 2 Weeks Prior To The Fair & On Exhibit Floor During Fair Hours
Opens 3:30pm Thursday, October 6 | Closes 3:30pm Saturday, October 22

In an effort to integrate our fair into the landscape of art institutions in Houston and give back to the community, we have developed an innovative new program called MRKTworks. The MRKTworks program is, at its core, a small scale online/live auction for non-profits sponsored by Texas Contemporary and its dealers that will launch two weeks prior to the fair. The program will feature individual works donated by participating dealers to several key arts non-profits from Houston.

We are proud to present our MRKTworks beneficiaries: