MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE EXHIBITION OF WORKS
BY WORLD-RENOWNED ARTIST BERNAR VENET
ON VIEW IN HOUSTON’S HISTORIC HERMANN PARK
JANUARY 23 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
The Texan-French Alliance for the Arts presents the large-scale sculptures of French artist Bernar Venet and transforms the landscape of Hermann Park into a public sculpture garden.
On January 23, 2010, the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts (TFAA) will unveil a nine-month exhibition of sculptures by the internationally acclaimed French artist, Bernar Venet. Houston will join the ranks of over 20 other international cities including Paris, Brussels, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo, New York, and Chicago to host a Bernar Venet exhibition. 15 monumental sculptures will be sited by the artist and McClain Gallery, Houston in eight locations throughout scenic Hermann Park.
The sculptures are made of cor-ten steel, stand up to 30 feet high, and weigh up to 25,000 lbs (12 tons). The exhibition officially opens to the public on January 23, 2010 with a series of special events in the preceding days.
"Such a monumental grouping of artistic creativity in Houston will be exciting to see," said Houston Mayor Bill White. "And the international cultural partnerships that are making it happen is a testament to the beauty of the Houston spirit." Not only is a public art exhibition of this scope and scale simply unprecedented in Houston, the exhibition is an unparalleled opportunity to involve the City of Houston in viewing and experiencing art, supporting public art programs, art education, and bolstering civic pride.
“The TFAA fosters exciting and innovative cultural exchanges between Texas and France with the objective that these great communities will be enriched by the process,” said Mickey Henry, President of TFAA. “We are thrilled to spearhead the Bernar Venet exhibition which will draw more attention to Houston as a world class venue for creative and distinctive artwork.”
The TFAA will be hosting a number of educational outreach programs throughout the year that will generate continued interest in the Venet exhibition, from working with French, History, Math and Art classes in Houston’s public school program to on-going university lectures, public art tours and speakers. More information on these extensive programs can be found on the TFAA website below.
"Hermann Park Conservancy is thrilled and gratified to host the Venet sculptures. Since its inception in 1914, Hermann Park has been a green sanctuary for Houstonians,” said Doreen Stoller, Executive Director of the Hermann Park Conservancy. “These monumental sculptures will make our spaces even more beautiful and will make our visitors' trips to the Park even more fun."
Its central location within Houston has both vehicular and pedestrian access, and open land expanses for long vista views of artwork. This unique accessibility guaranties an outstanding exposure over a duration of nine months. Enclosed you may find a map with suggested locations for the sculptures in Hermann Park.
In 2008, Bernar Venet received international attention by Sotheby’s sponsor: a Private Sale Retrospective, on the grounds of Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Windermere, Florida. The Houston Venet exhibition will follow on the heels of this Retrospective and a smaller city-wide exhibition in San Diego, California. The third quarter of 2009 is the earliest Venet’s sculptures can be made available for a Houston exhibition of monumental works.
Without question, our city leads internationally in many areas - oil technology, shipping and aerospace. Houston is also vibrant in many of the arts - performance, symphony, opera, theater, museums and non-profit art spaces. A critical piece to this civic fabric is internationally recognized public art for its citizens. Unlike the other arts, public art not only is an important piece of civic life but it also exudes prestige and pride to the world that is not accomplished in any other way.
The focus will be on the partners involved in this monumental exhibition as well as in Houston’s eminent and exciting future.
Visit the official website : www.bernarvenet.com
Bernar Venet installation at the MFAH, sculpture garden- click here
Click here to see an article about Bernar Venet's exhibition in San Diego
This project is funded in part and supported:
AXA Art Insurance Corporation
Becca Cason Thrash
Consulate General of France in Houston
by a grant from City of Houston’s City’s Initiative Program through the Houston Arts Alliance
City of Houston Park's and Recreation Department
GDF SUEZ Energy North America
French Embassy
Hermann Park Conservancy
Richard Fant
Red Claw LLC
Sotheby’s
Total
and Over 100 Private Donors
The education outreach programs are in part funded by:
Houston Endowment
Veronique Prentice