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Musiqa: Alternate Tracks*

Thursday, May 17, 2012 | 7:30PM

In conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX, acclaimed contemporary music group Musiqa will perform all new scores for selected scenes from popular cinema. Premiering new compositions written by Rice University and University of Houston students, these new musical landscapes will transform familiar movie moments.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Los Angeles Plays Itself (Screening of Part 1)*

Thursday, May 24, 2012 | 7:30PM

In conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX, CAMH presents a two-part screening of Thom Andersen's Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003). Andersen, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, historian, critic, curator, and educator, uses cinema to examine neglected aspects of culture. His acclaimed documentary Los Angeles Plays Itself explores how the city of Los Angeles has been used as both a backdrop and a character in the movies. Through interwoven footage from over a hundred films—including early movies (Laurel and Hardy’s 1932 film The Music Box), well-known popular cinema (Chinatown of 1974, Blade Runner of 1982), and more obscure films (Model Shop of 1969, Killer of Sheep of 1979)—we see the changing cinematic contexts of certain modern architecture, skyscrapers, public spaces, and neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Andersen gives an insightful and entertaining analysis of the history and character of this American metropolis, and reveals how Hollywood has represented and misrepresented its hometown. Part 2 of the screening will be held Thursday, May 31, at 7:30PM.

Thom Andersen, USA, Los Angeles Plays Itself, 2003, video, 169 min.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Co-presented by CAMH and Rice Design Alliance
Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Lecture Series: One Artist, One Work

Saturday, May 26, 2012 | 2 to 3PM

Critic and writer Jennie King shares her paper Something Old, Something New, Something ‘Borrowed’: William Cordova’s Laberintos and the Machu Picchu Artifacts at Yale, which addresses a work included in It is what it is. Or is it?, Cordova’s Laberintos (pa’ octavio paz y gaspar yanga).

King is Interim Public Art Director at Project Row Houses, Houston.  As a critic and scholar, her writing has appeared in such publications as Artforum, The Art Newspaper, Art on Paper, Chicago Art Journal, and October.  She was previously a Helena Rubenstein Fellow in Critical Studies at the Whitney Independent Study Program, and a critic in residence at the Core Program of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.  She received her MA from the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art and is completing her Ph.D in art history at Princeton University.

Los Angeles Plays Itself (Screening of Part 2)*

Thursday, May 31, 2012 | 7:30PM

In conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX, CAMH presents the second in a two-part screening of Thom Andersen's Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003). Andersen, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, historian, critic, curator, and educator, uses cinema to examine neglected aspects of culture. His acclaimed documentary Los Angeles Plays Itself explores how the city of Los Angeles has been used as both a backdrop and a character in the movies. Through interwoven footage from over a hundred films—including early movies (Laurel and Hardy’s 1932 film The Music Box), well-known popular cinema (Chinatown of 1974, Blade Runner of 1982), and more obscure films (Model Shop of 1969, Killer of Sheep of 1979)—we see the changing cinematic contexts of certain modern architecture, skyscrapers, public spaces, and neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Andersen gives an insightful and entertaining analysis of the history and character of this American metropolis, and reveals how Hollywood has represented and misrepresented its hometown. Part 1 of the screening was held May 24.

Thom Andersen, USA, Los Angeles Plays Itself,2003, video, 169 min.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Co-presented by CAMH and Rice Design Alliance
Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (Screening of Parts 1 & 2)*

Thursday, June 7, 2012 | 7:30PM

British documentary filmmaker Sophie Fiennes (director of the Oscar-nominated 2011 film, Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow) teamed up with charismatic Slovenian philosopher, psychoanalyst, and film buff Slavoj Žižek to create a strange and exhilarating ride through some of the greatest movies ever made. For The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema, Fiennes incorporated seminal scenes from a range of films (1960’s Psycho, 1963’s The Birds, 1974’s The Conversation, 1986’s Blue Velvet,and 1999’s The Matrix, to name a few), then shot Žižek at original locations and on replica sets, creating the uncanny illusion that he is speaking from within the films themselves. Our lovable tour guide inserts his provocative ideas about fantasy, reality, sexuality, subjectivity, desire, and materiality as he delves into the hidden language of cinema. The Pervert’s Guide is a smart, fun, and often hilarious reassessment of cinema and what movies tell us about ourselves. This screening is held in conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX. Part 3 will be shown on Thursday, June 14, at 7:30PM.

Sophie Fiennes, UK, The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema, 2006, 150 min.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

The Pervert's Guide to Cinema (Screening of Part 3)*

Thursday, June 14, 2012 | 7:30PM

British documentary filmmaker Sophie Fiennes (director of the Oscar-nominated 2011 film, Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow) teamed up with charismatic Slovenian philosopher, psychoanalyst, and film buff Slavoj Žižek to create a strange and exhilarating ride through some of the greatest movies ever made. For The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema, Fiennes incorporated seminal scenes from a range of films (1960’s Psycho, 1963’s The Birds, 1974’s The Conversation, 1986’s Blue Velvet,and 1999’s The Matrix, to name a few), then shot Žižek at original locations and on replica sets, creating the uncanny illusion that he is speaking from within the films themselves. Our lovable tour guide inserts his provocative ideas about fantasy, reality, sexuality, subjectivity, desire, and materiality as he delves into the hidden language of cinema. The Pervert’s Guide is a smart, fun, and often hilarious reassessment of cinema and what movies tell us about ourselves. This screening is held in conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX. Parts 1 & 2 were screened on June 7.

Sophie Fiennes, UK, The Pervert’s Guide to Cinema, 2006, 150 min.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Artists/Scholars Talk: Lynn Herbert

Saturday, June 16, 2012 | 2 to 3PM

Former CAMH Senior Curator Lynn Herbert offers her views on the group exhibition It is what it is. Or is it?

Tribulation 99: Alien Anomalies Under America*

Thursday, June 21, 2012 | 7:30PM

Experimental filmmaker and independent film curator Craig Baldwin first became interested in the collage film form while studying under Bruce Conner at San Francisco State University. Since the late 1970s, Baldwin has created ingenious, aggressively playful social critiques by manipulating and subverting found pop cultural imagery. His “pseudo-pseudo-documentary” Tribulation 99: Alien Anomalies Under America presents a chronicle of U.S. intervention in Latin America in the form of the ultimate crackpot conspiracy theory. His delirious bricolage of Hollywood B-movies, Mexican horror flicks, newsreels, and industrial films spins a revisionist history and delivers an apocalyptic warning involving covert actions, environmental catastrophe, space aliens, cattle mutilations, killer bees, religious prophecy, and doomsday diatribes. This screening is held in conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX.

Craig Baldwin, USA, Tribulation 99: Alien Anomalies Under America, 1991, 48 min.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Be Johnny: Cityscope*

Thursday, June 28, 2012 | 7:30PM

Join us for this live audio-visual performance by video design team Be Johnny that reworks and combines film material from the early history of cinema. Cinematic depictions of buildings, streets, and city life from early movie “realities” and “city symphony” films will be transformed into a dreamlike meditation on our designed environments. Be Johnny (Bree Edwards and Johnny DeKam) has created innovative moving images for music concerts, theater presentations, dance performances, and live cinema projects around the globe. This program is held in conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Mess with Texas*

Thursday, July 5, 2012 | 7:30PM

In the spirit of cinematic intervention, CAMH asked Texas artists Kelly Sears, Alex Luster, Mark and Angela Walley, Bryan Poyser, Scott Stark, and James Johnston to delve into the vast collection of Texas-related movies, newsreels, and homemade films collected by the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) and create entirely new works from the footage. These new reworkings are creative intersections of past and present, exploring varying senses of place and home and bringing new life to cinematic memories. Join us for the world premiere of these new works created in conjunction with Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX. The films will also be on view in the gallery July 6–8, museum hours.

*Please note that seating is limited so early arrival is recommended (no late seating). Refreshments will be available inside the gallery.

Co-presented by Aurora Picture Show and Texas Archive of the Moving Image
Programming for Perspectives 178: CINEPLEX is sponsored in part by Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Steel Lounge Underground

Friday, July 13, 2012 | 8PM-midnight

It happens only once a year so don’t miss it! The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is pleased to present its much anticipated music event Steel Lounge Underground, Friday, July 13, 8PM-midnight. Popular with a wide array of diverse audiences, it is CAMH’s not-to-be-missed event! Presented with Derek Jones and Josh Zulu, this music extravaganza showcases Houston’s diversity and talent by bringing together musical artists representing a variety of genres. During the event, the audience is invited to explore the stimulating exhibitions on view while enjoying the music. The talented lineup features Suraj K., Esteban Torres, and DJ Baby Jae and a live performance by Omari Tau. There is no charge for admission; cash bar and food trucks. More information coming soon.

Another Great Night In November

Thursday, November 15, 2012 |

Co-Chairs
Elizabeth Glanville and Nancy Littlejohn

Event Details

Celebrating 21 years this past fall, Another Great Night in November is an evening full of stunning art, healthy competition, and Houston's most spectacular dames. Established as a counterpoint to the MFAH's tuxedoed all-men’s One Great Night in November, this ladies-only soirée has been called "… the ultimate girls' night out" by CultureMap, and "... one of the season’s most elegant affairs..." by PaperCity. Each year Another Great Night is hosted by a gracious art collector in her gorgeous home, with an art history trivia game as the centerpiece of the evening. The well-heeled women compete in teams for prizes provided by sponsors, which have included Tory Burch, Fendi, Bottega Veneta and this past year's sponsor Christian Dior.

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