VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

On Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, from 1 until 4 p.m., Blaffer Art Museum presents Studio Saturday, the museum's annual free art-making activity geared toward families and university students.

This year, Blaffer is partnering with Art21, Inc., to present a sneak preview of the new Art21 documentary William Kentridge: Anything is Possible, (pictured) about the life and work of South African artist William Kentridge. Studio Saturday will take place at Blaffer Art Museum, which is located in the Fine Arts Building on the University of Houston's central campus, located on entrance 16 south of the intersection of Cullen and Elgin. The event is free and open to the public.

During the event, participants will create a themed collage or storyboard in Blaffer's "Assembly Required" activity inspired by the current exhibitions. Studio Saturday will feature guided tours of the museum's exhibitions, art activities, the Art21 screening, and a discussion led by a local guest artist. Materials will be provided, refreshments will be served and prizes will be awarded. Everyone is welcomed to attend, and reservations are requested by contacting Viola Chavez at vechavez@uh.edu or 713.743.9971.

William Kentridge: Anything is Possible is the first film from Art21, which produces the Peabody Award-winning television series Art:21 -- Art in the Twenty-First Century, that is devoted to a single artist. The documentary provides a rare, intimate look at the creative process, political and artistic philosophies and personal background of one of the most provocative and dynamic artists working today.

Kentridge's work, which includes drawings, sculpture, animated films, tapestries, live performance, theater and, most recently, a production of the Shostakovich opera The Nose, has received worldwide recognition and accolades. Time magazine named his Five Themes exhibition (documented in this film and currently traveling internationally) as one of the top ten art exhibitions of 2009. In June, he was selected as the winner of the 2010 Kyoto Prize, a prestigious Japanese award that recognizes visionaries in the arts and sciences. The film will premiere on PBS stations on Oct. 21, 2010 (check local listings).

Susan Sollins, Art21 executive director and director of William Kentridge: Anything is Possible, explains, "The profound manner in which William Kentridge simultaneously combines many different facets of contemporary art in his work---drawing, sculpture, music, film---while reflecting on a rich variety of ideas---from historical cataclysms to political events of our time, including the fall of apartheid in South Africa---provides us with a vehicle to explore fully the power of art and its ability to help us understand the world today."

The film is co-directed by Charles Atlas, award-winning artist and filmmaker who has worked extensively with contemporary artists and dancers, including Merce Cunningham, Marina Abramovic, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Antony and the Johnsons.

About Blaffer:
Founded in 1973, Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston was named in honor of the late Sarah Campbell Blaffer, a noted Houston arts patron and collector. Since its inception, the museum has been a vital force in the presentation and promotion of contemporary visual arts in Houston. Blaffer is located in the Fine Arts Building on the University of Houston's central campus, entrance 16 south of Cullen Boulevard. It is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays, Mondays, university holidays and during exhibition installations (visit the website or call to confirm). The museum is ADA compliant.

For general inquiries, please call 713.743.9521, or visit the museum online at www.blafferartmuseum.org.

About Art21:
Over the past ten years, Art21 has established itself as the preeminent chronicler of contemporary art and artists through its Peabody Award-winning biennial television series Art:21 -- Art in the Twenty-First Century. The organization has used the power of digital media to expose millions of people of all ages to contemporary art and artists and has created a new paradigm for teaching and learning about the creative process. In addition to its PBS series and year-round series-based education and public programs efforts, Art21 has expanded its film production and educational efforts in recent years. Several new initiatives have been launched in the past year, including the premiere of the new short-format documentary series Art21-Exclusive on multiple online platforms and expansion of the Art21 Blog. New programs are also in the works, including a feature film as well as Art21 Educators, an ongoing professional development program for teachers. www.art21.org.