LOCAL Houston | The City Guide AUGUST 2015 | Page 50

Local August 2015_FINAL.qxp_002houston 7/27/15 12:18 PM Page 50

FRESH ARTS SCENE
THE ARTS IN HOUSTON ARE BREAKING BOUNDARIES THIS AUGUST. BE A PART OF THE MOVEMENT
IN THIS MONTH’S FRESH ARTS SCENE.

ZOO AT THE EDGE OF THE
WORLD: A CONTINUUM OF THE
EXOTIC | Art League Houston
On view through September 12
Art League Houston is excited to present Zoo at
the Edge of the World: A Continuum of the
Exotic, an exhibition by US-based Bahamian
artist Lavar Munroe. The exhibition features a
selection of mixed-media paintings that explore
the nineteenth-century phenomena of the
“human zoo.” The works in this exhibition investigate how this phenomenon, which is arguably
the origin of racist stereotypes today, fits into
the wider discourse of history. Through the
manipulation of imagery sourced from ethnologic illustrations, human zoo advertisements
and sideshow banners, Munroe’s work creates
an “elsewhere” that examines narratives,
exhibits and fascinations that resulted from
human zoo displays. In much of his work, the
‘exotic human other’ is often paired alongside
a wild animal and beast, which was true to
many of the human zoo exhibits of the time.
Free parking is available.
For more information, visit www.artleaguehouston.org.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMARIE
The Catastrophic Theatre
Through August 29
Performances Wednesday–Saturday @ 8pm
The University of Tamarie is the 19th installment of the
Tamarie Cooper juggernaut. Since 1996, Tamarie has
wowed Houston audiences almost every summer with an
entirely original, full-scale, musical comedy extravaganza
– filled to the brim with songs and gags and hi-jinx from
some of Houston’s funniest theatre artists. Without question, her original plays have been among the most wildly
popular summer offerings anywhere in town. Tamarie’s
shows truly are a unique and uniquely Houstonian phenomenon. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can.
Performances take place at 1119 East Fwy., 77002.
For more information, visit www.catastrophictheatre.com.

By Ariel Jones

50

L O C A L

| august 15

I AM A CAMERA,
LGBTQ COMMUNITIES SEEN
FROM WITHIN FotoFest
On view through August 29
I Am a Camera is about self-representation. Queer
communities self-identify across a broad spectrum
of sexuality, gender roles, culture and politics. It is
a varied and diverse population that resists generalization and traditional, normative expectations.
As such, LGBTQ communities have defined themselves on their own terms. I Am a Camera is an
exhibition of artists doing just that. The artists in I
Am A Camera are exploring a number of humanist themes, including relationships, self-realization
and determination, and community and space
building. Their works encompass traditional black
& white photography, contemporary staged photography, video and installation work. They represent the spectrum of sexual identification – gay,
lesbian, transgendered and queer-allied. The exhibition is available to view at 2000 Edwards
Street, 77007.
For more information, visit www.fotofest.org.