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"I leave you my portrait so that you will have my
presence all the days and nights that I am away from you." -Frida Kahlo
In 1931, Nickolas Muray and Frida Kahlo met in Mexico. She not only became his muse; she became his
love. For ten years, they would have an on-and-off again relationship which
would also lead to the creation of some of Muray's finest photographs; work
which is currently on exhibit at The Alameda in downtown San Antonio.
The photographic exhibition sheds new light on Kahlo, known as a tragic
figure through the autobiographical nature of her own artwork, perhaps because
the work was created through the eyes of
an artist whom she loved. However
different Nickolas Muray"s portrayal of Frida is in comparison to her own work,
it still leaves a powerful impression.
Throughout his long, successful career, Muray photographed
important people from all over the world, including politicians, artists, and
the elite. He was also known for his fashion and commercial photography,
elements that carry over into the photos currently on display. His work with Frida, however, is thought to
be some of his best. Her love for him
shows through the gaze she shows to him through the camera’s lens their
flirtatious letters to each other and the beautiful photographs borne out of
their affection for one another. As a
result of their passion and adoration, the photographs show a side to her that
can’t be found in any of her artwork. To
see this side of her, visit the Alameda
at 318 W. Houston St.,
which will be exhibited until December 6, 2009.
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This First Friday (September 4), "A Carnival of Messages” art
exhibit will be on display at Rendon Photography and Fine Art, showcasing work
by local artists Ray Seabaugh, Kat Brown, and Bruce Shackelford, all with a very
distinct approach to their artwork.
Ray Seabaugh takes a contemplative, existential approach to
his art (one piece, for example, involves goldfish jumping in and out of
different martini glasses). “I take an image and try not looking at it for what
it is, but what it can be. What can I do with this image to improve it, to make
it more beautiful?” For his newer
pieces, he's undergone a new thought technique and process, ultimately wanting beauty
to prevail.
Bruce
Shackelford takes a more off-the-beaten-path approach to his photography, literally. “For years I've taken Polaroids, which was
the standard in art and photography for reference shots. Then digital photography came in and it went
out the window. I was still taking the
Polaroid and was on the road a lot between Texas
and New Mexico,
and every so often I would see something that would strike me and would shoot
it.”
Last but not least is Kat Brown, who takes a more intimate
approach. She is a found-object artist,
incorporating random objects into her art. Her new work reflects the emotional turbulence
of this past year: she miraculously lived through emergency brain surgery to
remove a grapefruit-sized tumor from her brain.
“All of the photos have a surreal feel to them,” Kat said. As for the objects incorporated into the art? That’s something best left for the reader to
experience first-hand by visiting the exhibit at 733 S. Alamo from September
4-October 25. The artists will be at the
opening reception from 6-9:30 pm.
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Going to local art museums can inspire the inner artist in
just about anyone to make an appearance.
Some may have experience, while others… not quite so much. But despite which side of the spectrum your
artistic abilities lay, a trip to the San Antonio Museum of Art's (SAMA)
Sketching in the Galleries program sounds as fun as it does beneficial to the
artist in you (or lack thereof).
SAMA is holding free sketching classes every Tuesday, with a
different artist leading the class each month.
The work will be based on the pieces found in the collections and give
artists an opportunity to improve their drawing skills and explore new
techniques no matter what their skill level (the program is for visitors ages
12 and up, so odds are you'll fit in at one level or another). So whether your talents are more stick figure
or they deserve their own space in the gallery (or somewhere in between), it
should help tap into the creative genius in just about anyone. So get the pencils and sketch pads ready
(they ask that you bring your own), get to SAMA a little early (the classes are
from 6-8 p.m. and space is limited to 20 people), and get ready to explore the
realms of art (especially yours). For
more information, visit the SAMA’s website at samuseum.org.
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A
Mexican import store with a very rich history is about to open next to the
Spanish Governor's Palace National Historic Landmark in downtown San Antonio.
Marti's, which first opened in Nuevo
Laredo, Mexico,
in 1954, will be opening next week. Since it first opened, the owners
have scoured Mexico
to bring back beautiful, artisan-created pieces to bring to us easy
access to anyone on or near the border city. Jack Suneson, the store's
owner, told us that that they "...have alway tried to find the best artisans in
Mexico and sold their
products for the best value possible, while providing some of the most
beautiful handiwork and essence of Mexico.”
Offerings include
jewelry in gold and silver, clothing, art, crafts, furniture, antiques,
exciting creations in paper mache and much more (for a sneak preview, check out their website at martis.com). The store, which has
been open for 55 years, has decorated "...the King Ranch, the Bass Ranch, and
every ranch in between.” Texas governors have been shopping there
throughout the entirety of its existence: Price Daniel, John Connally, Dolph
Briscoe, Mark White, and Ann Richards, who Suneson said to us was one of their
favorite customers and often purchased pieces for the Governor"s Mansion in
Austin. The store will be right up against the Spanish Governor’s Palace;
the second floor overlooks the courtyard, which makes for a beautiful backdrop
to the second story. While building the store, they discovered a treasure
of 216 silver coins, which they’ve named the Tesoro de San
Fernando en El Corazon de San
Antonio. With the addition of Marti’s and the
buried treasure, it appears San
Antonio has just added two new treasures to its trove.
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