Nidhika and Pershant Mehta Arts of India Gallery Opening in Houston
Jun 12, 2009 Arts, Fine Arts, Social Hour
Event: Arts of India Gallery Opening in Houston
Venue: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas
Date: May 15, 2009
The new Nidhika and Pershant Mehta Arts of India Gallery will be the only space in Houston devoted to Indian arts and culture, and is the third in a series of five permanent Arts of Asia galleries planned for the museum and located in an Arts of Asia wing now in development on the first floor of the Caroline Wiess Law Building. The naming of the gallery in the Mehtas’ honor recognizes their extraordinary $500,000 leadership gift to the museum. A series of public programs, including a Bollywood film festival, lectures, and activities for families, will take place this spring and summer as part of the Nidhika and Pershant Mehta Arts of India Gallery celebrations.
The evening was well attended by the who’s who of the Indian American community in Houston. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett also spoke that evening and expressed his connection with India with his son studying Vedanta there for many years.
Tags: Arts
Bayou City Art Festival
Apr 7, 2009 Bollywood, Fine Arts, Music
Event: Bayou City Art Festival
Venue: Memorial Park, Houston, Texas
It was perfect weather for an outdoor art festival as Houston celebrated the 12th Annual Bayou City Art Festival at Memorial Park and transformed the 1.1-mile trail of the park into a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery.
The festival kicked off on Friday March 27 through March 29, 2009. The festival witnessed the perfect marriage of art, culture, and cuisine. On the closing day of the festival, India was highlighted with performances by SAMSKRITI, Society for Indian Performing Arts. The students performed bharatnatyam (Indian form of dance) and the finale was ‘Jai Ho’ from Oscar winning movie ‘Slumdog Millioanire’.
The weather did play a vital role in keeping the enthusiasm going for onlookers, the parking situation however, was a big turn off. The directional signage also left a lot to be desired.
The festival showcased spectacular artwork with high flying price tags but that did not slow down the visitors, as the festival had many other attractions. The center stage thrilled the audience with all kinds of performances. From Bollywood dancing, fusion of Latin and Jazz grooves to Belladonna Dancers.
Exhibit of Treasures from Afghanistan
Event: Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from National Museum, Kabul
Venue: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Date: March 1, 2009
Acclaimed touring exhibition of Ancient Treasures from Afghanistan opened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Afghanistan’s hidden treasures from National Museum, Kabul was organized by the National Geographic Society and the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Extraordinary artifacts uncovered in modern day Afghanistan, once the heart of the Silk Road linking cultures from Asia to the Mediterranean, were long thought stolen or destroyed during some 25 years of conflict. In 2003, a dramatic announcement was made of their existence. More than 200 of these precious objects will be on view in Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from National Museum, Kabul, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) from March 1 through May 17, 2009, as part of a national tour that has generated critical acclaim.
However, according to some onlookers the exhibit was not very impressive as some felt it appealed more to the women as it was a display of gold and accessories. What has got a buzz is MFAH and their growing interest in different cultures and traditions.
Tags: Afghanistan, Arts, Museum Of Fine Arts
