The Hidden Agenda: Go With The Flow
Detail of Jae Ko’s “Shiro,” 2024-16.
This week is brimming with unique local events, including a peaceful protest against Donald Trump and the opening of Jae Ko’s exhibition, Flow, at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, as well as the Saudi Arabian survey Parallel Kingdom at The Station Museum of Contemporary Art.
Thursday, June 16
Blanket Bingo at Market Square Park
At 6 pm, head to Market Square Park for Blanket Bingo, with proceeds benefiting Market Square Park and Buffalo Bayou Partnership. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs or come early to grab a table in the park. Admission is $10 (cash only) for a bingo packet.
Screening — Emily Peacock: August at DiverseWorks
“Carrying the weight of looming family tragedy and past heartbreaks, young artist August finds herself in limbo as she quietly goes through the motions at family gatherings, her job at a photo processing business, her own artist presentations, gallery openings, and awkward relationships,” reads the description for Houston artist Emily Peacock’s screenwriting and directorial debut, August. The world premiere of Peacock’s half-hour film will take place at 7 pm in Matchbox 4 (3400 Main). Admission is free, but tickets are required (available here).
Friday, June 17
Houston Against Hate Protest Trump’s Arrival in Houston at 100 Shepherd Drive
Stand up against Donald Trump and his arrival to our city with a peaceful march and protest, beginning at 4 pm at 100 Shepherd Drive before then marching to Autrey Park (911 Shepherd) at 5 pm. Organizers warn participants not to head into nearby River Oaks (where Trump’s fundraising party is held) as you can be arrested by the neighborhood’s police.
Opening Reception — Jae Ko: Flow at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (5216 Montrose) is showcasing Jae Ko’s solo exhibition, a gallery-sized sculptural relief constructed from nearly one ton of re-spooled recycled paper, layered and shaped to fit within the museum’s Zilkha Gallery. The reception runs from 6:30 to 9 pm and the exhibition will be on view through September 18.
Midnight Madness: Howl’s Moving Castle at River Oaks Theatre
The River Oaks Theatre (2009 West Gray) is hosting another of their popular “Midnight Madness” screenings, this time of Howl’s Moving Castle from Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki’s, known for animated adventures such as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. There will be an additional screening on Saturday at midnight. Tickets are $10 and the screenings begin promptly at midnight.
Saturday, June 18
In Conversation: Jae Ko and Curator Valerie Cassel Oliver at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Head to the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston for a talk with Flow artist Jae Ko and Senior Curator Valerie Cassel Oliver for a discussion focusing on Ko’s artistic process, her relationship with paper, and her pathway to creating immersive installations that capture landscapes. The lecture is free and begins at 2 pm.
Opening Reception — Dialogue at Rudolph Blume Fine Art / Artscan Gallery
From 6 to 9 pm, Rudolph Blume Fine Art / Artscan Gallery (1836 Richmond) is hosting the opening reception for Dialogue, an exhibition featuring Matthew Bourbon, Beau Comeaux, Rachel Fischer, Bradley Kerl and Abby Sherrill, curated by artist Howard Sherman. Although the artists may represent divergent styles and mediums within contemporary art, the exhibition aims to start a new dialogue among the commonalities that exist within the works.
Opening Reception — Parallel Kingdom: Contemporary Art from Saudi Arabia at The Station Museum of Contemporary Art
From 7 to 9 pm, The Station Museum of Contemporary Art (1502 Alabama) is hosting the opening reception for the exhibition Parallel Kingdom: Contemporary Art from Saudi Arabia, a cross-generational survey of contemporary art from the Saudi Arabian peninsula. The exhibition explores Saudi culture through the creativity and vision of some the most influential Saudi artists of the 21st century, as well as a younger generation from the fields of art, comedy and film.
