Glasstire

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

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees take an optimistic view of a more collaborative future for Texas art, artists, and institutions, and their more appreciative audiences. "There’s a lot of sweat equity that artists are willing to put into their own shows if you give them the space in a museum."

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees discuss how artists and arts workers will adapt to and navigate our new landscape. "The only people who are going to be making art are people who really are artists and really want to make art. And they'll have to do it without thinking that they're going to make a living off of it."

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees discuss the difficulties faced by museums and nonprofits, the government stimulus bill, and the possible closure of art schools as a result of the pandemic. "This is still early days. I was talking to somebody on the phone who knows a lot about higher education, and he was sounding the alarm, essentially saying that he thinks a number of universities are going to shut because of this." This week’s podcast is supported in part by The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and their program 'Being There: Revisiting Tuesday Evenings' at the Modern, a rebroadcast of past Tuesday Evenings lectures on YouTube. Terri Thornton, Curator of Education, will introduce each presentation, with an online chat to follow. Join the museum, as usual, on Tuesdays from 7-8 PM for the program. For more information, go here: bit.ly/2UJaOoD

Brandon Zech and Christina Rees discuss the effect of the novel coronavirus on Texas-based galleries, museums, and artists.  "I’m most afraid for mid-tier galleries and nonprofits."

Christina Rees talks with Michael Auping, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's Chief Curator from 1993 to 2017, about the Modern's presentation of his current exhibition 'Mark Bradford: End Papers.' "I was feeling like abstraction had really dried up, that it had really come to the end of the line. And then I found Mark Bradford. And I thought, ‘Ah ha, here’s another rabbit hole that we can really go down.’"

In this podcast, Glasstire's Christopher Blay and William Sarradet interview attendees at the Dallas Museum of Art's exhibition 'Speechless: Different by Design' during a recent DMA Late Night opening. "It's interesting to be in a museum space and have all of the exhibitions have to do with touch. It's an interesting feeling, almost like you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing."

Brandon Zech and Christopher Blay discuss whether artists make good critics, why blue-chip artists won't write criticism, and the difficulties of text art. "You don’t see Jeff Koons writing a review about an exhibition for Artforum."