The McNay’s new shows, C.S. Lewis at the Tobin… News Roundup Aug. 27, 2020
Pandemic or not, San Antonio arts organization remain active, productive and creative.
The McNay Art Museum has opened two exhibits this month: Folk Pop: Victoria Suescum’s Tienditas which opened Aug. 19, and Hockney to Warhol: Contemporary Drawings from the Collection, which opened today, Aug. 27. Both feature works on paper, such as drawings and watercolors.
A native of Panama, San Antonio artist Seuscum is drawn to the vivid “pop art” that small local shops paint on their walls to advertise their establishments and their merchandise. It’s a tradition well known in Mexico and in her native country. Her own drawings “beautifully capture the colors, textures, scale and forms of the wall paintings that inspired them,” says the museum in its press announcement. An informal interview with the artist is part of the show.
It is not unusual for artists to find inspiration in humble traditions which they then incorporate in their work in new and original ways. “I feel great satisfaction installing the paintings inspired by tienditas in such a dignified space as is the Charles Butt Paperworks Gallery,” said the artist.
The other show, Hockney to Warhol, is a more typical museum offering, including watercolors and drawings by a long list of artists, representing a substantial time span. Several San Antonio artists are included, such as Leigh Ann Lester, Ken Little, Vincent Valdez, Liz Ward and the late Robert Tiemann. Other artists in the show are Judith Cottrel, Leonardo Drew, David Hockney, Beth van Hoesen, Yvonne Jacquette and Donald Judd, the man who put Marfa on the national art map. And, yes, Warhol and David Hockney. This exhibit is the first opportunity to see these works, “a little-known strength of the McNay” in one place. It’s on view through Jan.3, 2021. Sounds like a must-see to us!
Both exhibits were organized by Curator of Collections, Lyle Williams.
We already told you last week about the Bihl Haus Arts exhibition, Hot Pursuit: Visual Commentary on Climate Change featuring the works of local artist Sabra Booth. You can now view it digitally on https://my.matterport.com/show/2m=QS8YzuwR5UU
You can also learn more about the threat of climate change from Denise Barkis Richter, a retired professor, who will present a virtual gallery talk, Climate Change is Real: What you Can Do to help Get Our CO2 Emissions to a Safe Level.” It takes place Saturday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m.; www.BihlHausArts.org
Over at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, they have several good things coming our way. Yes, they do in-person performances but with social distancing and all the other safety measures required. At the Tobin they can make rows of seats disappear by simply pushing a button, and two empty seats will separate parties.
Coming up on Sept. 18 & 20 is An Evening with C.S. Lewis, which is bound to be both entertaining and enlightening. If you read Lewis’ books, you know what we are talking about. The “evening” is structured as a gathering at Lewis’ house where the famous English writer/thinker/philosopher is hosting a group of American writers. Scintillated conversation is to be expected. www.tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624. You get half- price tickets, $29.25, by using promo code LION, according to the information we received. But hurry, it’s a limited time offer.
There’s something special going on at the Woodlawn Theater as well. The building the current thespian company occupies started life as a swanky movie house 75 years ago. Its claim to fame in the early years was that it hosted the premiere of John Wayne’s movie The Alamo, in which Wayne portrayed David Crockett. (He also produced and directed the film.)
What the present-day company is good at is musical theater with big casts on stage and packed houses of musical fans. But since they can’t make seats disappear, like the Tobin folks, the Woodlawn team is trying to entertain patrons with virtual reunions of cast members from its past shows. This Friday, Aug. 28, it’s the SHREK Virtual Cast Reunion, featuring Princess Fiona (Morgan Clyde), Lord Farquaad (Joshua Bruce) and Donkey (Alejandro Pesina). The three will reminisce about the 2017 production and perform songs from the show, including their audition songs. It sounds like fun and it’s only $5 per household, via Zoom at 7 p.m. To register: www.tinyurl.com/yy3tg83k
The energetic chamber music ensemble, Agarita, is launching its new season in collaboration with chefs from the Clementine restaurant. But don’t worry, the musicians will mind the music while the chefs mind the food. The event was actually pre-recorded in the restaurant while the 5-course meal was being concocted.
Music first: Schubert, Fauré, Chausson, Novaček, Bach, and contemporary composer Jessica Meyer. No details were available.
Food: English Pea & Shrimp Velouté; Fancy Pasta; Snap Pea Ragout; three entrees choices, and Crème Brulée, with fresh berries. (This is an abbreviated list)
You can order the meal for $25 per person in advance and enjoy it while listening to the concert or you can just watch the pros prepare it. However, recipes will be available at www.agarira.org To place an order call 210-503-5121.
The video will be ready for viewing starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, with a watch party on Agarita’s Facebook page at 7:30 p.m.
And here’s a video of an original dance work by the talented Jazz Ovalles who learned to dance in the city’s Parks and Recreation dance program, and now teaches there and choreographs for students and events. The piece here is Called “Masked”