Hana Hillerova

Emvergeoning hit Houston this weekend, with stops at Sicardi Gallery, Blaffer Gallery, the Menil Collection, Lawndale Art Center and a couple of private collections. I’ll cover each destination individually…

Lawndale Art Center

We cracked open the notebook with the a Fotofest show at Lawndale Art Center, featuring Hana Hillerova, Austin-based photographer, Adam Schreiber and Houston-based photographer Chuy Benitez. Though it was meant to be a photocentric installation, Hillerova pulled photos into crystal visions that stemmed from her diamond piece de resistance at Sala Diaz just last year. The photo collage [pictured above] was one of two small pieces that seemed dwarfed by the scintillating, mirrored glass sculptures that stretched nearly 20 feet high.

Benitez captured some absurd Mexican American cultural moments like the starstruck looks of an audience viewing Our Lady of the Baking Pan or a group of young, well groomed mariachis serenading customers at a check out stand in a Fiesta Supermarket. He took a series of portraits of artists and activists in Houston’s thriving Mexican American community. The diptychs bulge at the sides with an unflattering fish eye lens approach. They almost need a timpanist accompaniment for the full, comedic effect.

Adam Schreiber
Adam Schreiber captured the sterility and seeming hyper reality of clean rooms, presidential toothbrushes and filthy, forgotten corners of dormant military compounds. Here’s an example of a star system covered carpet infiltrated by the artist’s sensible walking shoes.ardream

In the project space on the top floor of the Lawndale, William Stewart made a meta photo out of smaller photos of the 3rd Ward in Houston. Prima facie, all the photos seem to come from an eye attracted to hand painted signs and dilapidated structures. With places called “Scientific Cleaners” and “Ardream Restaurant,” Stewart’s photos are simple and sincere in their dual function of documentation and admiration for all things overlooked.

Next stop: Thomas Glassford at Sicardi Gallery.

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