Thursday, February 10, 2011

Artistic Range: Einar and Jamex de la Torre at the Tucson Museum of Art. Plus: After-Hours Party!

Posted By on Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Bethlehem_Boy_white.jpg

"Bethlehem Boy," 2007, blown glass, mixed media by Einar and Jamex de la Torre, will be on display in Borderlandia: Cultural Topographies by Einar and Jamex de la Torre, one of four shows opening Friday, Feb. 11, at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 North Main Ave.

Friday also marks the debut of TMA's first Art After Dark, an after-hours party at the museum that looks like a heck of a lot of fun. Here's the description from TMA:


Watch as fire swirls and human bodies become living masterpieces at the inaugural Art After Dark on Friday, February 11 at 8:00 pm at the Tucson Museum of Art. This all ages event is for anyone who wants to experience an evening of artistic expression and appreciation. Admission is free for Museum members and $10 for non-members. Come a little earlier and enjoy the opening for four unique exhibitions with the artists.

Kicking it off is a sizzling performance by the fire dance troupe Elemental Artistry; then express your passion by making your own valentines with found objects and poems written by local poets; marvel at the performance art of Parasol Project as they transform into human canvases painted only by projections; make your “Love Confession” to performance artist Laura Milkins; pose with your friends for an old fashioned photo strip from Omer Kreso’s photo booth; and enjoy an eclectic mix of jazz, modern rock, pop, international songs and groove-based electronic tunes by DJ Carl Hanni.

Elemental Artistry is a fire performance troupe that has been entrancing audiences with their fire-handling skills since 2004. With more than 50 years of experience between the five featured fire-dancers, these professionals know how to unite their flames in a dynamic way. Elemental Artistry will ignite their torches and illuminate the night with their scorching display of fire dancing.

Founded in 2009, Parasol Project’s performance art ranges from the experimental to the everyday. The performers will transform themselves into human canvases for Art After Dark as four performers, clad in white, are decorated by watercolor, and drawn upon, using only projections. Each performer will become a unique work of art by the end of the performance.

Everyone remembers the first time they fell in love. February’s Art After Dark is the time to confess! Tell the tragic, comic or tender tale of your first love to Laura Milkins. She will be performing all night as a roving love confessional. Afterward, you will receive a small "penance" to absolve you of any romantic-hangovers. You can also ask for a "milagro" to help you succeed in future love endeavors.

February’s Art After Dark will follow the opening of four unique exhibitions with the artists— Borderlandia: Cultural Topographies by Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Bill Schenck: The Serigraphs, Tom Philabaum: Precarious Rocks, Approved Images: Lawrence Gipe. The opening begins at 6:00 pm and is free for members of the Museum; non-members are welcome at $10 per person. All four artists represented in the exhibitions will be on hand for the opening.

Presented every other month by the Tucson Museum of Art, Art After Dark is when the arts come alive in downtown Tucson. Each event will be infused with creative energy and different art experiences for guests to marvel at and enjoy. There will be food for purchase and a cash bar. The next Art After Dark will be April 22. Follow it on Facebook (Art After Dark Tucson) or the website (www.TucsonMuseumofArt.org) for latest information.