Aurora Picture Show Award and Gala 13th Annual Aurora Award Dinner Honoring Bill Viola With Honoree Bill Viola in Attendance Chairs: Michael Landrum & Pepper Paratore Saturday, October 5th, 6:00PM Location: Aurora Picture Show, 2442 Bartlett Street Tickets start at $350 and go up to $3000
Aurora Picture Show is pleased to recognize world renowned artist Bill Viola as the recipient of the 13th Annual Aurora Award. The award will be presented at an intimate dinner, which includes a screening of his work and an award presentation ceremony. The 13th Annual Aurora Award Dinner will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 6p.m. The annual fundraiser is chaired by Michael Landrum and Pepper Paratore at Aurora Picture Show (2442 Bartlett Street, Houston, 77098).
Bill Viola is internationally recognized as one of today's leading artists. For 40 years, he has created videotapes, architectural video installations, sound environments, electronic music performances, flat panel video pieces, and works for television broadcast.
In addition to Bill Viola in attendance at the event, he will be joined by his partner and collaborator; Kira Perov. As executive director of Bill Viola Studio, she has worked closely with Bill Viola, managing, creatively guiding and assisting with the production of all of his videotapes and installations.
As recently described by Art in America, "Bill Viola is the leading artist for enacting transcendent spiritual experience through his video images that break the borderline of still photos and moving pictures. For over 40 years, Viola has been vital in establishing video as a crucial contemporary art form while expanding its scope in terms of content, style, technology and historical reference. With his interests in Eastern and Western art and spiritual traditions-Zen Buddhism, Islamic Sufism and Christian mysticism-Viola's work focuses on the life cycle and sensory perception."
As part of the event, Aurora will screen a selection of works by Viola, including an excerpt of a new piece called The Dreamers (2013) and The Raft (2004). This will be the Texas premiere of The Dreamers, which will be shown in a projected viewing presentation. The Dreamers depicts seven individuals submerged underwater at the bottom of a streambed. Their eyes are closed and they appear to be at peace. Water ripples across their bodies, subtly animating their movements. The sound of running water permeates the space as dreams filter through the room.
In addition to this piece, the evening will also feature a montage of works to be screened after the award presentation. And then closing with a screening of The Raft (May 2004). This piece shows a group of men and women from various ethnic and economic backgrounds waiting in line. Suddenly they are struck by a massive onslaught of water that knocks over some, as others brace themselves and fight for survival. Water flies everywhere, clothing and bodies are pummelled, faces and limbs contort in stress and agony against the cold, hard force. Then, as suddenly as it arrived, the water stops, leaving behind a band of suffering, bewildered, and battered individuals.
Each year Aurora's Curator Mary Magsamen selects a Texas-based artist to create an art piece representative of the Aurora Award. This year Allison Hunter will create a piece that will be presented to Bill Viola during the award presentation at the dinner. Allison Hunter is a visual artist who over the past twenty years has worked in photography, video, drawing, sculpture, and installation.
Bill Viola will sign a limited number of books, including The Art of Bill Viola by Chris Townsend, Bill Viola: Reflections by Maria Sossai and Five Angels: Bill Viola im Gasometer by Jeanette/Wolfgang Volz Schmitz, which will be available for bidding in a silent auction at the event.
Past Aurora Award honorees include Laurie Simmons (2012), Joan Jonas (2011), Christian Marclay (2010), Doug Aitken (2009), Steina and Woody Vasulka (2007), Miranda July (2006), Isaac Julien (2005), Ant Farm (2004), Laurie Anderson (2003), William Wegman (2002), and Tony Oursler (2001).
Attendees to the intimate Aurora Award Dinner are treated to a catered meal, a video screening of exclusive works from the artist, and a brief award ceremony. Tickets start at $350. Attire is casual cocktail. For more information on the Aurora Award event and to purchase tickets, please visit www.aurorapictureshow.org.
Special thanks to Carrithers Studio, City Kitchen Catering, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, Papercity Magazine, Saint Arnold Brewery, Saint Cloud Boutique and Sparrow Bar + Cookshop for their support of this event.
TICKET INFO Advance ticket purchase is required. Tickets can be purchased and more information is available online at www.aurorapictureshow.org or by calling 713.838.2101. Tickets start at $350.
