Glasstire

Christopher Blay hosts Dr. Fahamu Pecou, an interdisciplinary artist and scholar. They talk about Trapedemia (including his exhibition at Conduit Gallery in Dallas), African roots, as well as how Pecou's paintings, performances, and academic work reframe the conversation around Black masculinity. "These are mirrors. These are affirmations. I want people, especially Black people, to look at these paintings and see themselves."

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech talk about the opening of the MFAH's landmark new building for modern and contemporary art. "My overall impression is that this building is good for Houston, good for the art, good for the MFAH of course, and it's great for art lovers. And right now, it's even good for Texas and Houston artists because there is quite a bit of Texas and Houston art inside this building." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christopher Blay hosts Jonathan Morris, a Fort Worth entrepreneur and community leader. They talk about the marriage of art and commerce, and how Morris' Hotel Dryce You Are Here Art Grant could help build an inclusive community in Fort Worth. “I think it's important that we tell a full, more complete story of who we are as a city, and doing that through art and the lens and perspectives of Black and Brown artists is a really special way to tell people about the city that I love. This art grant is my way of tackling and acknowledging what those opportunities can look like, and I don't want to be the last person to do so.”

Christopher Blay and Riley Holloway talk about painting, family, politics, "Home," and recognizing ourselves in the people and culture that make up the Black experience. “I wanted to highlight those moments that made me, literally — you know, right — like I'm in some of these images.”  If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: glasstire.com/donate

Christopher Blay, Christina Rees, and Brandon Zech talk about what the recent postponement of a show of works by Philip Guston says about museums and culture today.  "If museums continue their history of being traditionally white spaces, then when you put a painting of the KKK in them, it will be reinforcing that white space. If you have the diversity of a great multitude of art and artists in those spaces, then they become true places for dialogue and learning." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christopher Blay and Bernardo Vallarino discuss Vallarino's work which addresses the hollow sentiments of "Thoughts and Prayers" in the face of violence in society. Blay's conversation with Vallarino took place at the Nasher Sculpture Center where Vallarino is the inaugural artist for Nasher Public, a new initiative at the Nasher. "The ribbons [central to Vallarino's installation at the Nasher] became a physical manifestation of this very hollow action that, without any real action behind it, has no effect on the violence that exists out there." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: glasstire.com/donate

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss the implications of closures of a blue-chip London gallery and a storied NYC nonprofit, and tackle recent vandalism at three German museums.   "I don't think damaging art is performance, but using a clown flower to squirt liquid onto antiquities to deface them is one of the most absurd things I've heard." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christopher Blay and Christina Rees discuss how a recent national report about culturally vibrant cities, which only counted one Texas region among its top 40 places, impacts our ideas about the state and its artists. “I still don’t know how this report necessarily reflects the real, on-the-ground working lives and experiences of the people who make these places ‘culturally vibrant.'” If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss the art world's (still nascent) use of virtual and augmented reality, how VR undercuts traditional art experiences, and its real potential in the hands of artists.  "For somebody who has so many doubts about where the digital revolution is taking us, I'm actually quite excited about virtual reality in art, because I do think that artists will continue to push the boundaries of what it can be ... I do think a lot of artists are capable of doing something that we haven't imagined yet." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss the good, the bad, and the future of in-person art fairs. "I’m a person who loves art, and I found Art Basel Miami to be a draining and kind of frightful experience." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss how hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes, tornados, and other disasters impact art, artists, and the ethos of cities. "Texas in and of itself is a dramatic and exciting place to live, and it can also be a heartbreaking place to live." If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Christopher Blay talks with Janeil Engelstad about the history and current projects of her organization, Make Art with Purpose. "MAP gives local artists a platform and funding and a space to do [work] that addresses something politically or socially."

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss a recent shakeup in the New York gallery scene and how the pandemic will affect art galleries in the long term.  "It’s hard not to believe that about 30% or more of galleries will be gone by this time next year." "They’ll either be gone, or they’ll be some sort of shell of their former selves."

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss all of the weirdness we love (and hate) about the art world. "When you hear about stolen artwork you may as well grieve the death of that work because you may never see it anywhere again."

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech discuss what makes our homes homey, the overwhelming sameness of airbnbs and other urban spaces, and how the pandemic is affecting our view of home life. "I think a lot of these conversations address the question: is there a way to make spaces more flexible, versatile and humane?"

Christopher Blay and Christina Rees talk about the events of the last few weeks, and whether black artists are holding out hope that this moment will move the needle on racial violence and injustice. “I think artists aren’t waiting for museums and galleries to create a response to what’s happening in the world. I think it's either something that infects you and invades your work, or something that’s always a part of who you are and you can’t make anything else.“

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees talk about their visit to the newly reopened Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. "My whole point in visiting the museum was to answer the questions ‘Can I enjoy the art?' Can I get through the distraction of the sense of being out in public?"

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech walk you through the surprisingly unstressful process of buying excellent art online, at all price points. “Have fun with it. Buying art online is an interesting adventure, and right now it’s going to a very good cause. Artists and galleries are hurting and it’s a good idea to support them if you can.” Watch the video version of this conversation: https://glasstire.com/2020/05/21/top-five-may-21-2020-tips-for-buying-art-online/

Christina Rees and Brandon Zech have an honest conversation about some realities they’re happy to get a break from. “It’s terrific that we’re getting a vacation from these things.” Watch a video version of this conversation: https://glasstire.com/2020/05/14/top-five-may-14-2020-things-we-dont-miss-about-the-art-world/

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees talk about Marina Abramović, the Kennedy assassination, and why conspiracy theories and art don't tend to mix. "People in the art world are kind of Teflon about this. There's a lot of skepticism. It just doesn't tend to circulate in the industry that we work in. So when it happens it's really strange." If you like Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor by visiting https://glasstire.com/donate