VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents their  August Artful Thursday: Ordinary Seductions,  Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 6:30 PM, at the Caroline Wiess Law Building. Presented by Tacey A. Rosolowski, independent scholar and curator, in conjunction with the exhibition "Charles LeDray: workworkworkworkwork," on view through September 11.

Where can aesthetic encounters that transfix, seduce, and inspire be found? The answer is “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.” The exhibition CHARLES LEDRAY: workworkworkworkwork celebrates the artist’s uncanny ability to seduce viewers via everyday objects. With profound technical virtuosity, LeDray re-creates hats, embroidered patches, men’s suits, ties, toy chests, vessels, and more in doll-sized, diminutive form. Described by the New York Times as “magical,” these sculptures kindle the imagination, each element seemingly marked by signs of wear, inscribed by use, empowered by love.

Museum audiences expect aesthetic encounters—whether pleasure or pathos—when interacting with works of art. But what about in everyday life? At tonight's Artful Thursday, Tacey A. Rosolowski uses workworkworkworkwork as a springboard from which to explore the broader possibilities for aesthetic encounters with everyday objects and activities: experiences that, like art, can help bring understanding about the world and ourselves in new ways, and add brilliance and meaning to our lives.

Admission is free and open to the public. A reception follows the program. Register to win great giveaways from KUHF 88.7 FM and the MFAH. Artful Thursday programs receive generous funding from the Rockwell Fund. Promotional support is generously provided by KUHF 88.7 FM, Houston Public Radio. Refreshments generously provided by the Buffalo Speedway Starbucks (corner of Buffalo Speedway and Westpark), Carla Everett, manager, and the Rice Village Starbucks, Jenna Ortiz, manager.

Pictured:  Charles LeDray, Toy Chest, 2005–06, mixed media, collection of Katherine and Keith L. Sachs. Photo: Tom Powel, courtesy Sperone Westwater.