Glasstire

Glasstire staff and contributors share which Texas-based shows, events, and works made their personal “best” lists for this incredibly weird and worrisome year.

"The photographer explores the potentially destructive ways in which the industrial use of the landscape sustains our way of life."

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech talk about nativity scenes, Christmas art, and the inherent kitschiness of our beloved holiday traditions. 

"Messersmith explores the tenuous relationship between humankind’s built environment and its impact on wildlife through his exquisitely detailed paintings."

Jacobs creates enchanting animations derived from her drawings, where silhouettes of human figures "...come alive for a few seconds."

If you're still looking for gifts for yourself or for others, here's a collection of online shops where you can buy work directly from the artists.

This week, Glasstire is joined by Julie and Bruce Lee Webb to run down the greatest outdoor artist environments in Texas.

The 30-minute noontime talks will begin in January of 2021 and will run weekly, with each conversation highlighting a different institution and artist.

"The entire show takes place on the exterior grounds of an overlook-able, un-leased building on West Anderson Lane."

Featured artists include Jim Love, Michael Kennaugh, Pat Colville, Gael Stack, Melissa Miller, James Drake, Michael Bise, Al Souza, Helen Altman, Dan Sutherland, Claire Ankenman, Liz Ward, Page Kempner, and more. 

this show is a/video book/consisting of/brief “pages”/arranged in/a suite

Christopher Blay and Christina Rees on a paper show exposed to the elements, a show of sinister little dwellings, and a way to see a lot of art in one trip.

"Precipice" is a series of concurrent exhibitions by three artists: David Maisel, Jess Benjamin, and Mark Messersmith.

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech talk about the recently discovered (and removed) monolith in Utah, and about the wonderful work of a minimalist sculptor. 

Held entirely online, Sortor's virtual residency will consist of two projects, "space-time for you (Nothing to see here)" and "beingtogether," both of which counteract the idea of the internet as a space for overstimulation.

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees on Christmas shopping for art, two shows you need to see in person to appreciate, and an anniversary show for one city’s contemporary art hub.

"Explore the exhibition 'Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism through the French Lens' to discover what it means to be modern."

"A group exhibition featuring paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, sculpture and video that reflects on highlights of Colton’s twenty years in Houston."

The 2020 holiday season will be unusual as we try to survive the global pandemic. One bright spot during during this time, however, is the list of mostly virtual craft…

“This and That” is an occasional series of paired observations.