Inside the MFAH
“Inside the MFAH” provides perspectives, conversations, and opinions from insiders at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Rediscovered: Roman Vishniac’s Social Documentary Practice October 14, 2015
Roman Vishniac was one of the best-known photographers of life in Eastern Europe in the years before the Holocaust changed it irrevocably. Through publications, such as his famous 1983 book A Vanished World, his photographs profoundly influenced contemporary notions of that world and way of life. If at times Vishniac crafted a particular story for an image, he did so in order to use photography to …
What is Abstract Expressionism? September 30, 2015
“Abstract Expressionism” refers to the art movement that flourished in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. Its leading figures included Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Clyfford Still, Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock. Few artists in this loosely affiliated circle of painters, however, considered themselves “Abstract Expressionists,” “Action Painters,” or a “New York School”—terms …
Noguchi Was Here September 25, 2015
One of the many things we had to plan for in demolishing the Glassell Studio School building was making sure none of the sculptures in Cullen Sculpture Garden would be in harm's way. After pacing out the site, taking measurements, and doing a bit of research, all went smoothly this summer for our crew of six—and we were even rewarded with a little discovery. We knew Jim Love's Can Johnny …
The Art of the Short Film September 14, 2015
Short films have always been part of the Museum's year-round offerings, and our audiences enjoy them very much. Since we have several shorts programs coming up, I've been thinking about short-form filmmaking lately. Many artists, students, and novice filmmakers start out creating shorts. Martin Scorsese memorably interviewed his parents early in his career for a short film, Italianamerican. …
Preparations Begin August 31, 2015
The fencing has gone up around the building, workers are carefully salvaging those famous glass blocks, and this week, the first phase of the Museum’s campus redevelopment plan begins, as the Glassell School of Art site along Montrose is cleared for its new home, designed by Steven Holl Architects. Meanwhile, over the summer, workers dug underground along Montrose, and across to Main, to …
Habsburg Chic August 19, 2015
The Habsburg Dynasty loved lavish and ostentatious fashion. Browse the sumptuous materials, intense detailing, and bold silhouettes in these objects and paintings from Habsburg Splendor: Masterpieces from Vienna’s Imperial Collections. Take a look at close-up details of the artworks below, and look through the slideshow to see the full images. Designed for a royal wedding, this imposing …
Challenge the Monotony! See This Film August 4, 2015
Attention film fanatics and cinephiles! I invite you to join us for A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence, screening on August 14, 15, and 16. • Houston PremiereDo you enjoy the whims of Terry Gilliam, but prefer the aesthetics of Wes Anderson? Are you bored with Hollywood’s dogmatic formula? Have you ever questioned your position relative to your fellow human beings—nay—relative …
Unleash Your Shadow Monster July 30, 2015
If you’ve visited the Museum this summer, chances are you’ve encountered Shadow Monsters, Philip Worthington’s participatory art installation. The artist’s pre-programmed software adds features to visitors’ shadows, which become new creatures with imaginative appendages like eyes, teeth, and fins—morphing the everyday visitor into a momentary monster. Now you, too, have a chance to add your …
He Makes Their Personalities Jump off the Screen July 16, 2015
Albert Maysles passed away in March, but his phenomenal filmmaking lives on at the Museum this summer. Want to meet some of his most flamboyant subjects? Join us for our screenings of Grey Gardens (July 26) and Iris (August 30). Albert Maysles ● About AlbertThe late, great cinematographer/director/producer (1926–2015) and his brother, David (1931–1987), became one of the best nonfiction …
Meet Max, the Knight at the Museum July 8, 2015
On your summer visit, be sure to say hi to Max, our very own knight! He's here to help us celebrate Habsburg Splendor. Get to know our chivalrous visitor before you meet him in the galleries from Thursday through Sunday, or during storytime at July and August Sunday Family Zone + Studio programs. Facts on Max Full name: Max, the Knight at the Museum. Max is named after Holy Roman Emperor …
