art:21 – Art in the Twenty-first Century
Season 6: Balance and Boundaries

A screening presented at Texas Gallery
Monday, April 30 2012 - 7 PM

Texas Gallery is pleased to present a preview screening of two segments of the new season of art:21 – Art in the Twenty-first Century, Season 6, the award-winning documentary series which offers viewers a unique look into the thoughts, processes and lives of today's most accomplished artists. Each segment features artists who have had extensive exhibition histories at Texas Gallery: Rackstraw Downes in Balance, which is a literal and figurative description of his paintings; and Lynda Benglis in Boundaries, about the extension of the possibilities of artistic mediums.

Rackstraw Downes, a plein-air painter and recent MacArthur Fellowship recipient, works on his paintings for several years at a time, He has spent his winters in Texas for the last fifteen years, working in Galveston, Texas City, High Island, Marfa and, most recently, Presidio. In this segment titled Balance, Downes is shown in the arid landscape of the Chihuahuan desert at work on a group of new paintings. A survey of his recent paintings, including the Presidio Racetrack series, which was exhibited at Texas Gallery in 2007, is included as well as a rare interview with the artist. Other artists included in Balance are Robert Mangold who exhibited at Texas Gallery in the past and the installation artist, Sarah Sze.

The second segment, Boundaries, includes artists working in less conventional mediums. Featured is Lynda Benglis who has exhibited continually at the Texas Gallery since 1973. Born in Lake Charles, LA, she is best known for her sculptures in a variety of mediums; from polyurethane to plaster, glass, ceramic and bronze, as well as for her pioneering video work. In 2010-2011, Benglis had a survey show of her work at The New Museum, New York and at MOCA, Los Angeles. The other artists in this segment are David Altmejd, Tabimo and assume vivid astro focus.

Both hour-long segments will be shown consecutively with a brief intermission beginning at 7 PM, Monday, April 30. The screening is free but seating is limited. The presentation is in cooperation with Microcinema International.

art:21 is part of Art21 Access '12, a celebration of contemporary art and Art in the Twenty-First Century, Season Six, sponsored by art:21. Visit art21.org for more information.