Something has been pestering me about the news coverage of Uriel Landeros, the alleged “artist†who last year defaced Picasso’s Woman in a Red Armchair at The Menil Collection. I’d forgotten about him until last week, when Whitney Radley covered his guilty plea for Culturemap. She wrote an excellent brief story, probably what I would have written if I’d received the … [Read more...] about Vandal in a Red Armchair
The Sound of the Wild, Wild West
As thrilling as the Houston Symphony Orchestra’s final concert with Hans Graf was last Friday night – everything came together perfectly for a stunning Mahler 2nd – it’s bittersweet to see him leave. He’ll be back as guest conductor at HSO next year, in particular, from November 29-December 1, for a concert with pianist Ingrid Fliter (Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. … [Read more...] about The Sound of the Wild, Wild West
That’s Right, You’re Not From Austin
When I lived in Boston, I met and worked with many press agents. I remember one of them saying once, “you know, there’s good news and there’s bad news. And then, there is some f*cking serious news.† I know she would agree when I say the past few weeks have been filled with way too much of that serious news. As an arts writer, I froze in the midst of it. … [Read more...] about That’s Right, You’re Not From Austin
Hydrocarbons: They’re What’s For Dinner
Editor's note: My partner Joseph Campana and I discovered Marina Zukow's work when it was presented in Houston by Diverseworks (see below). One of the most important American artists of her generation, Zurkow will be coming to Houston later this year as part of Joe and his colleague Tim Morton's unique seminar on energy and the arts. Joe sends this communication from Boston, … [Read more...] about Hydrocarbons: They’re What’s For Dinner
Living Room for the Performers
Liminal Space Contemporary Music Ensemble is a recently-formed, Houston-based new music group I’ve decided to follow. Regrettably, I missed their first concert last year, devoted to John Cage’s work. Liminal’s second performance in December at the Station Museum was a stunning event focused on Frederick Rzewski (covered  elsewhere on this blog). The ensemble's … [Read more...] about Living Room for the Performers