Summer Solstice: The Hidden Agenda
Magdalena Fernández, “Rain.” Photo by Peter Molick, courtesy of Magdalena Fernández and Sicardi Gallery
This week brings in a variety of arts events around the city, including screenings at Blaffer Art Museum and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Summer Solstice celebration at the Buffalo Bayou Cistern.
Wednesday, June 21
Discussion — Brown Bag Gallery Talk with Beverly Barrett at Blaffer Art Museum
From noon to 1:30 pm, join the Blaffer Art Museum (4173 Elgin) for a gallery talk led by Beverly Barrett, Lecturer in Global Studies at the Bauer College of Business, to discuss the work by The Propeller Group in their current exhibition. Barrett will explore the subjects presented in the works by the art collective, whose projects are deeply rooted in Vietnamese history, politics and everyday life. Bring your own lunch to keep the conversation going following Barrett’s presentation.
Summer Solstice at the Cistern with Bayou Buddies and Art Crowd
From 6:30 to 8:30 pm, celebrate the Summer Solstice at the Buffalo Bayou Cistern (105 Sabine) with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s young professionals group, Bayou Buddies, and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Art Crowd. Tickets are $20 for non-members and admission includes the opportunity to view Rain, the current light installation at the Cistern from artist Magdalena Fernández prior to its closing on June 25, as well as complimentary wine and beer from Saint Arnold Brewing Company and a set from DJ Felix.
Friday, June 23
Discussion — Art at Noon with Tony Aucoin at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
From noon to 1 pm, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston will present a discussion with licensed clinical social worker Tony Aucoin as part of the programming for the museum’s exhibition A Better Yesterday. Aucoin will discuss the works in the exhibition and how they relate to shame, sexuality, relationship issues and identity development, and a light lunch will be provided afterward.
Saturday, June 24
Tom Stoddart, 2024, Lesbos, Greece
Discussion — ACT NOW! A Refugee Forum at FotoFest International
Starting at 2 pm, FotoFest International (2000 Edwards) will host a forum for patrons to learn about Houston-area refugee organizations and the locals at the forefront of refugee services. Representatives from various organizations will speak about their work, the needs of Houston’s refugees, and how locals can help. Participating organizations include Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, IEDA Relief, The City of Houston Office of New Americans and Immigrant Communities, and more. The event is in conjunction with FotoFest’s current exhibition, The Annenberg Space for Photography’s REFUGEE, which highlights the works of five international artists and their work with refugees around the world.
Screening — AK-47 vs M16, The Film at Blaffer Art Museum
Starting at 5:15 pm, Blaffer Art Museum will present a screening of The Propeller Group’s AK-47 vs. M16, The Film, a feature-length montage edited together from various sources, including Hollywood films, promotional videos, documentaries, news footage and YouTube clips. Portrayed as storied rivals, the story’s main characters are the AK-47 and the M16, historically used by opposing forces in the Vietnam-American War, illustrated through these varied clips.
Screening — Chasing Trane at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Starting at 7 pm, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (1001 Bissonnet) will screen Chasing Trane, an inspiring new documentary that celebrates the life, work and cultural impact of jazz icon John Coltrane. Following him from his childhood in the Jim Crow South, young life and fatherhood, struggles with drugs and alcohol to his personal and artistic growth in the 1960s, the film also features interviews with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Rollins, Bill Clinton, Common and Cornell West. Tickets to the screening are $9 and there will be an additional showtime on Sunday at 5 pm.
