Here’s a look at what’s going on at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from July 28–Aug. 3.
The Audrey Jones Beck Building, 5601 Main Street. Permanent collection: selections of European art until 1920 and American art until 1945. Picturing the Senses in European Art, April 10-July 17, 2011; Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland, May 22–Aug. 14; Beauty, Humor, and Social Justice: Gifts from Joan Morgenstern, May 22–Aug. 21; Helmut Newton: White Women • Sleepless Nights • Big Nudes, July 3–Sept. 25; Second Nature: Contemporary Landscapes from the MFAH Collection, July 10–Sept. 25.
Creation Station: This week´s theme: Looking at a Sculpture of a Hindu God. Location: Beck Building, Farish Classroom. In the studio, discover and make your own work of art inspired by a sculpture of a Hindu god. Art-making projects for families are inspired by original works of art on display in the galleries, and families are encouraged to work as artists, using similar materials or similar ideas as the artist who created the focus work of art. Thursday, July 28, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sunday, July 24, 1-4 p.m.
The Caroline Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet Street. Permanent collection: the Glassell Collection of African Gold, pre-Columbian art. Form Follows Function: Celebrating 10 Years of the American Institute of Architects Design Collection at the MFAH, through Jan. 30. Circa 1900: Decorative Arts at the Turn of the Century, Feb. 26–July 31; Charles LeDray: workworkworkworkwork, May 15–Sept. 11; Simpson Kalisher: The Alienated Photographer, May 17–Aug. 18.
A Book and A Look: Enjoy “A Book and A Look” every Thursday during the summer. Families can visit the museum to “meet” the heroic Hercules, “step” into an Impressionist painting with a little girl named Katie, “move” with “Action Jackson” Pollock, amongst other things. At this storybook check-out program, check out your book and take it into the galleries to read with your family in front of a work of art that you will also “read” with the help of looking activities. MFAH staff will match up each family’s interests and favorite things with a storybook-and-art pairing. Thursday, July 28, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gallery Investigations: This week´s theme: Looking at a Sculpture of a Hindu God. Location: Law Building, Gallery 106M. This week, visit the Gallery Cart to uncover details and insights about a sculpture of a Hindu god. At Gallery Investigations, an MFAH educator has looking games, books, and hands-on activities to help families look carefully, uncover details, and think about the cool stuff they are discovering about works of art. Thursday, July 28, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Sunday, July 24, 2-4 p.m.
Family Fun! Paintings & Stagings: See a creative show by the Alley Theatre Young Performers Studio summer camp. This student-directed and student-produced performance is inspired by a work of art from the MFAH collections. Open to all, families encouraged to attend! Location: Brown Auditorium Theater. Thursday, July 28, 2 p.m.
Rienzi: The MFAH’s European decorative arts wing, 1406 Kirby Drive, 713-639-7800.
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: The MFAH’s American decorative arts wing, 1 Westcott Street, 713-639-7750.
The Glassell School of Art: The MFAH’s teaching wing, 5101 Montrose, 713-639-7500.
The Glassell Junior School of Art: 5100 Montrose, 713-639-7700.
Repertory Films
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Brown Auditorium Theater, Caroline Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet Street, 713-639-7515; general admission is $7, matinee admission is $6, and children five and under are admitted free. MFAH members, senior adults, and students with ID receive a $1 discount.
Gun Hill Road: Thursday, July 28, 7 p.m. – Part of QFest. An ex-con newly released from prison trying to integrate back into family life is confronted by the revelation that his teenage son is transsexual. Preceded by a tribute to John Kellett and The John Steven Kellett Foundation for their continued support of the festival over the last 15 years. Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount.
2 Frogs in the West: Friday, July 29, 7 p.m. – Part of QFest. In this thrilling coming-of-age drama, a young woman’s trek across Western Canada takes her to a lavish ski-resort town where she befriends—and moves in with—a former champion skier, his sexually provocative ex-girlfriend, and their gay best friend. Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount.
Outfest at QFest: Girl Shorts: Friday, July 29, 9 p.m. – A compilation of the best short films from the “Girl Shorts” program featured at Outfest Los Angeles. Titles include For Such a Time as This (2011; USA; 10 min.); Cried Suicide (2010; USA; 14 min.); You Move Me (2010; USA; 12 min.); After Lunch (Depois do almoço) (2009, Brazil, 13 min.); Public Relations (2010; USA; 17 min); Birthday/Födelsedag (2010; Sweden/Poland; 18 mins; Swedish with English subtitles). Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount.
Making the Boys: Saturday, July 30, 3 p.m. – Part of QFest. This 2009 film tells the remarkable story of how The Boys in the Band became the first play depicting the lives of gay men, and its historical impact upon the world of theater. Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount. (Members of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston are also entitled to the discounted ticket price for this film.)
OutFest at QFest: Boy Shorts: Saturday, July 30, 5:00 p.m. – A compilation of the best short films from the “Boy Shorts” program featured at Outfest Los Angeles. Titles include Gayby (2010; USA; 12 min.); Gaysharktank.com (2010; USA; 14 min.); The Very Best of Pretty Things, season 2 featuring “Popcorn,” “Treble & Timbre,” and “Hairbox Thrillers.” (USA; 20 min.); The Queen (2010; USA; 8 min.); Billy & Aaron (2010; USA; 10 min.); George & Brad in Bed (2009; USA; 5 min.); The Armoire (2009; Canada; 22 min.); raw love/Amor crudo (2008; Argentina; 15 mins; Spanish with subtitles). Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount.
A Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor: National Velvet: Sunday, July 31, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Elizabeth Taylor’s star-making debut as a young lass who wins over a wild stallion and take a shot at winning England’s Grand National Sweepstakes. Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount.
Short Films by Kenneth Anger: Sunday, July 31, 3:30 p.m. – Part of QFest. Legendary, iconic director Kenneth Anger’s most memorable work is featured in this timeless collection of recent 35mm restorations from The UCLA Film and Television Archive. The program consists of Kustom Kar Kommandos, Rabbit’s Moon, Fireworks, and Scorpio Rising. Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount. 35mm preservation prints courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Preservation funded by The Film Foundation.
Poison: Sunday, July 31, 5 p.m. – Part of QFest. 20th Anniversary Presentation. The feature-film debut of Oscar winner Todd Haynes is an unforgettable triptych combining drive-in sci-fi horror, a disturbing family documentary, and a seedy prison melodrama. Poison is a provocative take on gay identity, gay politics, and gay sexuality. Special ticket prices apply. General admission is $10. MFAH Members, students with ID, seniors, and members of Film Buffs receive a $2 discount. Cosponsored by DiverseWorks
REEL Kids Presents: National Velvet: Wednesday, August 3, 11 a.m. – Free With Museum Admission. (No tickets required) A jaded former jockey (Mickey Rooney) helps a young girl (Elizabeth Taylor) train a wild, but gifted horse for the Grand National Sweepstakes—England’s greatest racing event. “Director Clarence Brown certainly knows how to push all the right buttons, crafting a film that is knowingly manipulative and sentimental but none the worse for it and it would be churlish not to be both moved and excited by the film’s gripping finale.” —BBC Films
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