weekend links: Ellsworth Kelly, Quincy Jones, Ravyn Lenae
A view inside Ellsworth Kelly's Austin. Image courtesy Victoria Sambunaris/The New York Times.
On February 18th, Color Field artist Ellsworth Kelly will be posthumously debuting what may be his finest achievement: Austin, a nondenominational “chapel” that brings together many of the artist’s signature forms and ideas. Many have asked how, out of all places, did his work end up in Austin? Discover the story behind this landmark piece and its 30 year gestation, and see it for yourself when it opens next weekend. [The New York Times]
In sadder Austin arts news, Flatbed Press will be joining the long list of galleries closing their doors in 2018. The reason? You guessed it: the landlord sold the lease. Get ready for another batch of condos, and another nail in Austin’s creative spirit. [Sightlines]
In case you missed it: Quincy Jones is back in the cultural zeitgeist with a juicy new interview. The 84-year-old music producer turns off his filter for a freewheeling interview that dishes on the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, burners, Marlon Brando, contemporary hip-hop and more. [Vulture]
Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts announced yesterday that it acquired a 30-foot high, stainless steel piece by Anish Kapoor—a spiritual sister to Chicago’s Cloud Access (popularly known as “the Bean”). It will be situated near the entrance of the museum’s Glassell School of Art Building and will open in late spring. [Houston Chronicle]
Promising Chicago singer-songwriter and recent Atlantic Records signee Ravyn Lenae just dropped her new EP, Crush. With executive production and vocals from Steve Lacy, R&B band The Internet’s breakout star, Crush channels funk, hip-hop, soul and jazz to create a beautiful music gumbo. Through the songstress’ beautiful voice and Lacy’s heavy guitar licks, the EP further solidifies Lenae’s place in contemporary R&B. She wasn’t lying when she tweeted that 2018 is hers. [Fader]
New Yorkers are lucky to have two important and very different exhibits on display right now. Baya Mahieddine was an Algerian teenager in the 1940s when she first began making colorful portraits of women. Her paintings are as striking now as ever, and her first U.S. solo exhibition is on display at NYU’s Grey Art Gallery through March 31. Meanwhile, over at Pace Gallery, Thomas Nozkowski’s abstract, improvisational pieces are on display through February 15. Nozkowski’s form-free works, featuring a variety of materials and paintings, demonstrate the artist’s original approach to painting. The results transcend abstraction, creating a world and language all their own.
Painter and salon owner Preston Pannek and his girlfriend, Adrienne Creasey, are decorating the arts district of Dallas with their own murals. Through their company, House of Pannek, they plan to spray paint 10 murals that focus on pop culture, then celebrate the occasion by donating them and hosting a show at Deep Ellum Art Co. in May. [Dallas Observer]
Local artists Charlie Martin and Will Taylor, better known by their band name, Pillcore, just released their new LP, Cranberry. Here, the artists explain how they first met, what events led them to where they are today, and what to expect from their lo-fi infused, dreamy new project. [Austin Chronicle]
—Nia KB and Sean Redmond