Kristy Peet, Britt Ragsdale, FotoFest Solo Exhibitions

Kristy Peet and Britt Ragsdale will both open solo shows at Gallery 1724 for the FotoFest 2012 Biennial on Saturday, March 31 from 8-10pm. Kristy Peet’s exhibition will feature her series “How I Will Die,” a photographic exploration of hypochondria and mortality. Britt Ragsdale will exhibit, “Members” a show of photography and physical response.

When asked about her inspiration for the “How I Will Die” series, Kristy Peet simply states: “I’m a worrier.” Emily Sloan, curator of both shows, explains her interests in both artists’ work: “I am very attracted to both of these artists’ use of photography and the body as their medium, particularly in relation to performance and records.”

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Kristy Peet is an artist living and working in Houston, Texas. She completed her undergraduate work at Austin College and graduated with an MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her large format photographic work deals with psychological issues and has been shown in solo and group exhibitions across the country, including a solo exhibition at the Dallas Contemporary. She is currently teaching photography at College of the Mainland and is a resident artist at Box 13 ArtSpace. For more information, please visit: www.kristypeet.com

Britt Ragsdale is a visual artist currently living and working in Houston, TX. She graduated with a BFA from Lamar University and an MFA from the University of Houston in May 2011. Through photography, video and performance, she creates visual constructs based around the social anthropology and psychoanalysis of pretense. She is a resident artist at Box 13 ArtSpace. For more information, please visit: www.brittragsdale.com


Exhibition image: Kristy Peet, It is used for identification purposes, 2011

ABOUT GALLERY 1724:
Gallery 1724 is a gallery, salon, home, and chicken ranch located in the Houston Museum District at 1724 Bissonnet Street. The space features experimental rotating exhibitions and salon-type dialogues.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Opening reception: Saturday, March 31, 8-10pm
On view through May 31, Monday through Saturdays from 11am to 6pm or by appointment.

CONTACT:
Emily Sloan
Gallery 1724
1724 Bissonnet St.
Houston, TX 77005
gallery1724@gmail.com
713-582-1198

David McClain, 2012 FotoFest Bienniel

David McClain, a Houston-based photographer and interdisciplinary artist, debuts new work at The Kenmore at SKYDIVE Art Space on Saturday, March 24. McClain's installation transforms the inside of the refrigerator into a peepshow using "authentic" vintage porn of famous people including Sylvester Stallone, alleged vintage porn of famous people including Marilyn Monroe and recreated porn based on real porn including famous people such as Erin Andrews, the ESPN sportscaster who was surreptitiously filmed in the nude in her hotel room. Questions raised include our voyeuristic urges, our addiction to celebrity culture, and what it means to be authentic in a digital age.

When asked about borrowing vintage porn for his work, McClain borrows Jim Jarmusch’s words: “Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.” Furthermore, states McClain, “Maybe I was an adult film star in Bulgaria before migrating to the United States…”




ABOUT THE ARTIST:
David McClain holds a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a JD from the University of Houston Law Center, and a BA from Rice University. His work has been exhibited in Mission, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, and Houston and published in TimeOut New York, Fifth Wednesday Journal and PhotoNews Magazine (Germany). He is a resident artist at Box 13 ArtSpace. McClain incorporates photography, painting, sculpture, parade floats, and performance in his work. For more information, please visit:

ABOUT THE KENMORE:
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold artist-run exhibition object measuring approximately 36" x 24"x 24". It is mobile and presently located at SKYDIVE Art Space in Houston, Texas. The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Opening reception: Saturday, March 24, 7-10pm
On view through April 28, Saturdays from 1-5pm or by appointment.

CONTACT:
Emily Sloan
The Kenmore
c/o SKYDIVE Art Space
2041 Norfolk St. 77098
713-582-1198

Exhibition image: Screen capture from "Erin Andrews Recreation," video by Breton Peterson (2010).

FotoFest 2012 Biennial: David McClain's "Refrigerator Art"

For FotoFest 2012 Biennial, The Kenmore will host "Refrigerator Art" by David McClain.

One night only:
Saturday, March 24, 7-10pm.

Location:
SKYDIVE ARTSPACE
2041 Norfolk
Houston, TX 77098

Contact:
Emily Sloan, caretaker of The Kenmore
713-582-1198
thekenmore@gmail.com

Craftism Revisited

Artist Cat Coombes and co-conspirator Edward Lane McCartney, with "The Kenmore", have reprised their "Craftism"show and its accompanying manifesto to arouse renewed deliberation on the delineation between "Art" and "Craft". McCartney has created a small grouping of new jewelry inspired by his recent trip to France, the Var Department, and its chain of small 13th century mountain top villages.

"The Kenmore" is a small, cold, self-run exhibition object. Though it is mobile, it is usually located at Box 13 ArtSpace in Houston, TX. The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context and the experience of collaboration. The Kenmore gallery object is the creation of artist, curator, and educator Emily Sloan and has been generously loaned by her for this exhibition.

Location until March 10:
Goldesberry Gallery
2625 Colquit Street
Houston, Texas 77098

Jonatan Lopez, "Beef: Cattle that is Reared for its Meat"

Artist Jonatan Lopez will unveil a new multimedia installation examining his physical attraction towards "Beefy Men" at The Kenmore, located in Box13 ArtSpace, with Beef: Cattle that is Reared for its Meat. This one night only event will take place on October 1, 2011 from 7:00pm to 9:30p.m.

For this work, the artist has immersed himself in an arduous examination of his physical attraction towards "Beefy Men." He has selected a few bulls from the herd incessantly pursuing them without their knowledge, luring them, acting out his desires, and using his own body as a research tool in an attempt to solve the mystery behind his obsession. His installation at The Kenmore invites us to enter the secret room of his darkest fantasies, a place where lust and transgression reign. Ingredients: voyeuristic footage, found organs, stolen photos, beef derived products, obsession. (Viewer discretion is enforced.)


ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jonatan Lopez is an interdisciplinary artist. His works examine issues of debate within social and personal realms, often using empirical observation as research method. His performances and installations become surveys and social experiments that open valuable community discussion.

Jonatan has exhibited in numerous venues in Houston, from alternative art spaces like Project Row Houses and DiverseWorks Art Space to more traditional venues like Bayou City Art Festival. He enjoys curating and collaborating with other artists.
He currently lives in the Houston Heights with his partner and their three lab dogs.

ABOUT THE KENMORE
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold exhibition object measuring approximately 36" x 24"x 24". The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context and the experience of collaboration.

ABOUT BOX13 ARTSPACE
BOX 13 ArtSpace is an artist run nonprofit innovative environment for the creation and advancement of experimental contemporary art in Houston. BOX 13 artists create this environment through the offering of affordable workspaces for emerging and established artists, dedicating five interior spaces to the exhibition of artistic explorations, a window gallery for installations and an outdoor courtyard space. BOX 13 promotes dialogue among artists and the art community on current trends affecting the arts.

GENERAL INFORMATION
On view: Saturday, October, 7pm to 9:30pm

CONTACT
Emily Sloan
The Kenmore
c/o Box 13 ArtSpace
6700 Harrisburg Blvd.
Houston, TX 77011
thekenmore@gmail.com
713-582-1198

A "Midissage in the Mini Fridge" for Edward Lane McCartney's and Cat Coombes' "CRAFTISM: Preserving the Future of Art"

There will be a midissage in the Mini Fridge from 1-5pm this Saturday, August 20 for Edward Lane McCartney's and Cat Coombes' "Craftism: Preserving the Future of Art." Both artists will be present, Cat will be performing a recitation of the Craftism manifesto and brooches will be given away.

This event is taking place at The Kenmore, within the first floor studio of Emily Sloan at Box 13 ArtSpace, 6700 Harrisburg Blvd., Houst...on, TX 77011.

The exhibition will remain on view, Saturdays from 1-5pm through September 10, 2011.



More about the exhibition:
Houston-based artists Edward Lane McCartney and Cat Coombes have inaugurated a new art movement at The Kenmore, located in Box13 ArtSpace, with Craftism: Preserving the Future of Art. The organization of the Craftism movement, unveiling of McCartney’s shrine to art, and presentation of the collaborative’s manifesto will occurred at the opening reception on August 6, 2011 from 7:00pm to 9:30p.m. It remains on view Saturdays from 1-5pm through September 10, 2011.

The exhibition mixes jewelry, installation, and performance in a context that demands audience participation. The physical aspect of the exhibition centers around the transformation of The Kenmore, a mini-Fridge curated by Emily Sloan, into a Plexiglas and gold-leaf, post-modern-gothic shrine to Craftism, holding a single, sanctified jewelry object, by Edward Lane McCartney. During the reception, Cat Coombes presented Craftism’s manifesto to begin the consolidation of the movement. As relics of the performance, the manifesto has been been left on display, and viewers may wear jewelry objects bearing excerpts from the manifesto out into the world.

The artistic goal of the collaboration between jeweler and metal artist Edward Lane McCartney and conceptual artist and art historian Cat Coombes is to seek out a new relationship between “art” and “craft,” in search of an art that features “depth and humanity” as core values. The statement they make may provoke frustration, anger, or relief: “All art is craft. All so-called ‘art’ that is not craft is art criticism, industry, or empty posturing.”

THE KENMORE
Not just another white cube, The Kenmore is a small, cold exhibition object measuring approximately 36" x 24"x 24". The Kenmore's mission is to keep ideas fresh through the opportunity of a unique exhibition context and the experience of collaboration. This project sprung from Aisen Caro Chacin's N Gallery, was initiated by Emily Sloan and is "run" (refrigerator humor) under her development and guidance. By its nature, The Kenmore remains a work in progress.

BOX13 ARTSPACE
BOX 13 ArtSpace is an artist run nonprofit innovative environment for the creation and advancement of experimental contemporary art in Houston. BOX 13 artists create this environment through the offering of affordable workspaces for emerging and established artists, dedicating five interior spaces to the exhibition of artistic explorations, a window gallery for installations and an outdoor courtyard space. BOX 13 promotes dialogue among artists and the art community on current trends affecting the arts.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Reception: Saturday, August 6, 7pm to 9:30pm
Midissage: Saturday, August 20, 1pm to 5pm
Open Saturdays from 1-5pm or by appointment

CONTACT
Emily Sloan
The Kenmore
c/o Box 13 ArtSpace
6700 Harrisburg Blvd.
Houston, TX 77011
thekenmore@gmail.com
713-582-1198

"Vacation" at Williams Tower Gallery

(above: Greg Donner, Tepee Curios, 2007-8, acrylic on canvas, 32x44")

Please join us at Williams Tower Gallery from 6pm to 8pm this Thursday, August 18 for a reception for "Vacation", an exhibition featuring artwork by the following artists:

Adela Andea
Heimir Bjorgulfsson
Jay Davis
Greg Donner
Loli Fernandez-A.
Duncan Ganley
Dennis Harper
Paul Kittleson
Edward McCartney
David McClain
Neva Mikulicz
Tudor Mitroi
Paige Davidson
Lordy Rodriguez
Stephanie Saint Sanchez
The Art Guys
Patrick Turk

This exhibition has been co-curated by Emily Sloan and Sally Sprout. It opened July 28 and will remain on view through September 2, 2011.

Also on view at Williams Tower Gallery is Jay Giroux's "Redux." For more about Giroux, please visit: www.jaygiroux.com

Location and contact:
Williams Tower Gallery
2800 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77056

Emily--713-582-1198