Yesterday was a drive down to Laredo with PBL and Mimi, where we managed to catch a glimpse of el otro lado, and about six hours of film, some experimental, some not-so-experimental. The host, Sound art space, is in a warehouse (natch) and features a gallery, frame shop, furniture shop, and a brand new toilet. The organizers culled work by students, amateurs, and professionals, local and international, so the range in quality was quite wide. At the high end I was overcome by Murray and Megan McMillan’s brief allegorical animation (Grasping Hand and Walking Method, available here), Dan Monceaux’s fluid and poetic exploration of the lives of two blind women (A Shift in Perception, available here), and one of PBL’s signature semi-narrative video collages (Pandora’s Bike, more info here). Ann Wallace, Gil Rocha, and Bertozzi & Shell also contributed strong work.

The folks at Sound are bringing some solid contemporary art to Laredo, and their upcoming installation by Murray and Megan McMillan looks to be a killer show. Keep an eye on these guys.