Handmade Nation
Co-presented with Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Lawndale Art Center
Saturday, January 22, 7PM (reception at 6PM)
Location: Lawndale Art Center, 4912 Main Street
FREE
Handmade Nation is a documentary about the new wave of art, craft and design that is capturing the attention of the nation. Director, author, artist and curator Faythe Levine traveled to 15 cities and covered more than 19,000 miles to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members for her feature film debut.
Today’s craft world has emerged as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, and is also influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. Handmade Nation captures the tightly knit community that exists through websites, blogs, and online stores that connect to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs. Levine’s interviews were conducted on location in artist studios, homes, boutiques, offices and craft fairs, giving the public an exclusive and rarely seen look into the lives of these creative individuals.
Come early (starting at 6PM) for the film to enjoy a beer from St. Arnold Brewing Company and make a fun paper craft with volunteers from Etsy Houston. Handmade Nation books will be for sale from Domy Books. The screening starts at 7:00 PM and lasts an hour. Join artist Jenine Bresser next door at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft for an artist talk following the screening at 8:15PM.
Jenine Bressner, a glass and mixed-media artist who is featured in Handmade Nation, will be present for the film. Immediately following the screening, Bressner will give a gallery talk about her new exhibition, Inverted Harmony: A Handmade Environment by Jenine Bressner, at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (across the street from Lawndale Art Center). The installation, made from cascading glass chandeliers, LED lights, and layered textiles, evokes a surreal landscape of lush gardens. The exhibit will be on view at HCCC, January 22 – March 13, 2011, in the small gallery, with an opening reception on Friday, January 21, 5:30 – 8:00 PM.
Presented by Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Aurora Picture Show and Lawndale Art Center, with generous support from St. Arnold Brewing Company, Etsy Houston and Domy Books.