Stephanie Salas-Vega
Interactive Installations Are Inescapable On Social Media Now, But There Are Plenty Of Art Exhibits In And Around Dallas That Are Just As Instagram-Worthy.
A quick glance at Instagram, and you’ll see that Dallas hasn’t exactly been lacking in interactive gallery experiences and pop-up museums of late.
But even as places like Sweet Tooth Hotel and Rainbow Vomit continue to edge their way into Dallas’ art installation field, it’s important to also remember just how strong some of the more traditional museum options in the area are.
This summer in particular, Dallas-area museums have really stepped up their games by booking truly interesting conventional exhibitions, proving that there is indeed some new perspective to be found through old-school mediums.
Sure, the Instagram traps might dazzle up your feeds. But these eight exhibitions will, too.
“Keith Haring: Against All Odds”
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June 21 – Sept. 15
Arlington Museum of Art
Price: $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors
You’ve definitely seen this artist’s distinct pop-graffiti drawings on T-shirts, posters, buttons or stickers, and now you can see 50 of the original pieces at the Arlington Museum of Art. Keith Haring, a leading figure in the New York East Village Art scene in the 70s and 80s, used a combination of traditional art, alternative street culture and social themes to create rhythmic and bold outlined iconic pop art. He rose to prominence in the early 80s in New York City when he began producing hundreds of chalk drawings on black paper and advertising them at subway stations, which were referred to as “subway drawing.” Haring’s themes included exploitation, consumerism, social discrimination, drug abuse and the HIV/AIDS crisis.
“Sheila Hicks: Seize, Weave Space”
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May 11 – August 18
Nasher Sculpture Center
Price: Free for members and students with ID. $10 for non-members
The Nasher Sculpture Center is exhibiting a series of sculptures that are beyond traditional associations as the museum’s latest installment aims to establish a relationship between the outdoors and indoor high-art. “Sheila Hicks: Seize, Weave Space” is a collection of work by fiber artist pioneer Sheila Hicks. Installments ranging from vibrant pillow-formed sculptures, woven fibers stacked and pressed against the walls and windows to dangling cords are taking over the Garden and Lower Level Gallery. Hicks uses fiber and textiles to create sculptures and objects in monumental scales and hues that transform gallery spaces into mini landscapes. Hicks’ work is architectural at base, with constructive weaving around expansive walls and columns engulfed in textured fiber, formed from 60 years of technique.
“Dior: From Paris to the World”
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May 19 – September 1
Dallas Museum of Art
Price: $20 Tuesday – Thursdays, $25 Friday – Sunday
You can tour world-renowned fashion designer Christian Dior’s legendary couturier from Paris right here in Dallas through September 1. The Dallas Museum of Art is housing 70 years of Dior’s legacy and global influence with a selection of almost 200 luxurious dresses, accessories, photographs, original sketches, runway videos and other archives. Dresses range from elegant silhouettes to fabrics inspired by famous paintings to pieces that were worn by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Rihanna and even the dress Jennifer Lawrence wore when she tripped walking up on stage at the Oscars in 2013. “Dior: From Paris to the World” will also showcase work from the designer’s successors Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Gilliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri — all of whom carried his fashion movement into the 21stcentury. Timed tickets are required for all visitors, including DMA members and children who are carried or in strollers.
“The Art of the Brick”
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February 23 – August 18
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Price: $7 members, $10 adult and senior, $8 youth
The world’s most famous art masterpieces made with a favorite childhood toy. “The Art of the Brick,” created by world-renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya, exhibits original pieces and re-imaged works of art using LEGO bricks. The exhibition begins with a room dedicated to some of the most iconic artistic masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Michaelangelo’s David and Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring — all recreated with LEGOs. The second room focuses on art history with tall, picturesque recreations of ancient sculptures. Around the corner is original pieces by Sawaya including four oversized, vibrant skulls, a 20-foot-long Tyrannosaurs rex skeleton and “Yellow,” which appeared in Lady Gaga’s “G.U.Y.” music video. Between adults and children, it’s hard to tell who will enjoy this one the most.
“Rock n Roll is in the Blood”
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June 29 – September 15
Arlington Museum of Art
Price: $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors
Texas-born pop artist Jonathon Kimbrell was greatly inspired by 20thCentury comic book and pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and others. Kimbrell’s subjects range from famous musicians to actors to pop culture icons. His inspiration primarily centers around mid-century graphic and poster design, obsolete processes and packaging design. It’s art practically made to be hung up on your wall.
Shuji Mukai
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2017 –
The Warehouse
Price: Free and by appointment only
This exhibit stands out from the others because it’s located in the men’s and women’s restrooms of The Warehouse. Artist Shuji Mukai was invited to create one of his architectural interventions over the course of nine days. He covered every surface with a variety of black, nonsensical symbols using acrylic paint, markers and tape. With minimal tools, Mukai has managed to create a variety of textures and layers, distorting perception. The bathrooms almost look like you’re stepping into a new universe with limitless depth.
“Play Hard or Go Home”
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May 30 – August 31
Greater Denton Arts Council
Price: Free
This artist uses several years worth of personal vulnerability, abandonment, abuse and manipulation in a form of a game. “Play Hard or Go Home” is a large-scale installation of family memories by Los Angeles-based artist Chrystal McConnell. Visitors are able to pull from over 1,600 books from the Greater Denton Arts Council’s Gough Gallery, as it has been transformed into a living room with shelves full of photos and text about the artist. Aimed at helping the viewers better understand her daunting childhood and life experiences, McConnell uses discarded and abandoned material from antique and thrift stores, used book sales and libraries that reflect her history of abandonment and unresolved issues. She chooses to disclose her history in the form of encouraging the audience to discover her past through what she sees as a game.
“Fresh Look: A Selection of Women From the Madi Collection”
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April 26 – July 22
Geometric Madi
Price: Free
The Museum been referred to as one of the most underrated art museums in Dallas. MADI, an international art movement that focuses on geometric shapes with emphasis on articulating structures. “Fresh Look: A Selection of Women From The MADI Collection” features selections from 28 female artists from all over the world. The museum is filled with vibrant contemporary geometric works through mediums such as paintings, sculptures and light installations that pop off the walls. It totally looks like those interactive museums you keep seeing pop up on social media lately.
Cover photo via Nasher Sculpture Center