Filmmaker Chantal Akerman Focus of UH’s ‘Artists Up Close’ Feb. 13

Houstonians have come to expect dynamic works from acclaimed artists at Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston. Local arts patrons, however, have discovered the museum also offers opportunities to fully explore works through insightful programs such as the popular "Artists Up Close" series.

The spring 2008 installment of "Artists Up Close," presented jointly by the Blaffer and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, will focus on the ambitious video and multi-media installation "Chantal Akerman: Moving Through Time and Space." Using the format of a Blaffer Gallery "Contemporary Salon," the event will enable the public to listen to and engage in discussions with scholars and curators. The salon will take place at 6 p.m., Feb. 13 at Blaffer Gallery. Visitors are encouraged to preview the exhibition prior to the event. This event is free and open to the public, and the museum will remain open through its conclusion.

Among the participants in this screening and contemporary salon is Bill Arning, curator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's List Visual Arts Center.

"Bill's longstanding interest in Akerman's work and his eagerness to work collaboratively with Blaffer was key in moving the exhibition forward with a national focus," said Terrie Sultan, director of Blaffer Gallery.

Joining Arning will be Marian Luntz, curator of film and video at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and film scholar Margarita de la Vega-Hurtado.

"Chantal Akerman: Moving Through Time and Space" presents several works from Akerman's provocative film repertoire, including a new piece commissioned specifically for this exhibition. Hailed as a pioneering director and documentary maker, Akerman centers many of her cinematic visions on social and political themes. The exhibition runs through March 29. For more details, visit www.class.uh.edu/blaffer/exhibitions/.

"Artists Up Close" is a series of lectures, performances and engagements with artists currently featured in Blaffer exhibitions. The goal of "Artists Up Close" is to extend the exhibition beyond the museum walls.

WHAT:	"Artists Up Close" Contemporary Salon in conjunction with the exhibition "Chantal Akerman: Moving Through Time and Space
WHEN:	6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13
WHERE:	University of Houston Room 120, Fine Arts Bldg. Houston, TX 77204
WHO:	Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at UH, http://www.mitchellcenterforarts.org/   Blaffer Gallery, www.class.uh.edu/blaffer/