LOCAL Houston | The City Guide March 2018 | Page 38

THIS MONTH’S
TOP EXHIBITS
Presented by
1. Kevin Cole: Danci' With Color and George Smith
Glasstire is the source for visual art in Texas. Our weekly Top 5 video
rounds up the best art events in the state. Find us on Facebook or
the web for events, news, reviews and more! www.glasstire.com
Nicole Longnecker Gallery | Through March 31
This pairing, of Atlanta-based Kevin Cole and iconic Houston artist George Smith, should be a rich
back-and-forth between two artists who have both pushed themselves into exploring three-dimensional
wall works in recent years. Both artists play with movement: Cole‘s colorful, graphic mixed media
assemblages undulate with cartoonish ripples, while Smith‘s more austere, abstract pieces telegraph a
muted sense of urgency. This show marks the first time these artists have exhibited together.
www.longneckergallery.com
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2. Havel Ruck Projects: Ripple
Cherryhurst House | Through January 6
Oh, you know the work of Houston duo of Dan Havel and Dean Ruck: they do major interventions
in houses, including last year's Sharp, in Sharpstown, and the infamous Inversion on Montrose
Boulevard, which involved a wooden vortex tunnelling through a condemned bungalow. Their newest
project, Ripple, demands a visit to Cherryhurst House in Montrose, as they have "drawn" designs
into the walls, ceilings and floors throughout the 1,300sf building. It‘s pretty spectacular. Stay tuned
on Glasstire's Houston events page for special events and programs happening in conjunction with
Ripple throughout the year!
www.cherryhursthouse.com
3. J. Todd Allison
Gspot Gallery | Through March 26
Songbirds, anthropomorphized hammers, and swirling lines combine in J. Todd Allison's paintings to
immerse you an unfamiliar world crafted out of mundane objects. Drawing from the chaos of our con-
temporary society, the works create a surreal, Alice in Wonderland-like environment critiquing military
prowess and masculinity, while also hinting at the lighter side of life. Gspot Gallery has long been
showing Allison and with good cause — his paintings are continuously evolving, always staying on
the cusp of our culture.
www.gspotgallery.com
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4. Gao Hang: Good Times, Bad Times, Give Me Some of That
Art League Houston | Sarah Foltz Fine Art | Through March 10
Many of us are so familiar with American (and specifically Texan) culture that we forget the rest of the
world operates differently than our small, Lone Star bubble. Cockroaches, sprawling freeways, and
car culture in general inspired Gao Hang's diaristic watercolor paintings in which he notes the dif-
ferences between his native China and his new home in Texas. Hang moved to Houston to earn his
MFA degree and began documenting how he, as an outsider, observed its culture. The result is this
funny, charming and insightful show on view at Art League Houston.
www.artleaguehouston.org
5. Light Charmer: Neon and Plasma in Action
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft | Through May 13
What's the difference between neon and plasma? How are neon tubes made? Where can you see
awesome, pulsating, dazzling light sculptures? The answers to all of these questions and more lie in the
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft‘s recently opened show Light Charmer: Neon and Plasma in
Action. Works by ten artists invade the darkened gallery spaces making you feel like you‘re in Vegas
— but in a good way! The pieces are not only appealing, but show a mastery of craftsmanship that
is hard to beat.
www.crafthouston.org
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3 . 2018 | L O C A L
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