Blank Slate.

This Week In North Texas' Art World, You Can See Some Films, Meet Some Samurai Or Just Get RAW.

Welcome to Blank Slate, our weekly rundown of the happenings in the art world of Dallas, which, as it happens, does exist. Need to seem super intellectual and deep on that first date? Want to rub elbows with the popular gallery directors around town? Or maybe you just genuinely enjoy following the local art scene? Whatever the reason, this is your stop for quick and dirty art news.

Well, I have some good news, everyone.

This week, the powers that be decided to take mercy on our sweat-drenched souls. Following last weekend's largely outdoor-oriented art affairs, this weekend has gone with the exact opposite approach.

That's right: You'll be enjoying your art in air-conditioned quarters of Dallas this weekend, thank heavens.

Two events are primarily to thank for this — and both are oriented at you film aficionados out there.

The big one is the third annual Oak Cliff Film Festival, which is taking place all around North Oak Cliff for the next few days. Want in on the action? You'll be dropping $10 to get into each of the participating venues, or $175 for a VIP pass that grants you access everywhere. Oh, and if you want a quick list of what movies you must see, well, we've already got you covered. Because we’re good to you like that.

Also worth noting about OCFF: There will be some seriously unique photo opps at this sucker. The Austin-based Lumiere collective of photographers and Tintype Dailies of Oak Cliff will be teaming up to take tintype photographs at the festival. Tintype, basically, is a 19th-century photography method that takes its sweet ass time to complete. But the results? They're kinda glorious, which explains why sessions at this fest will run you between $50 and $100. Hey, good memories cost you.

Anyway, enough OCFF talk — especially when considering that it's not even the only film-affiliated affair in town this weekend. Here, I speak of the inaugural Dallas Indie Festival, of course. Yeah, the name is basically a horrible amalgamation of ubiquitous and nondescript adjectives, but, hey, the festival will be featuring all-local filmmakers, as well as artists and musicians. Also? Food trucks, duh. This one goes down in the pretty damn nice digs of the Bath House Cultural Center on White Rock Lake, too. So there's that. And, like the Oak Cliff Film Fest, this one too starts tonight and runs through Sunday. More information on the Dallas Indie Fest is available right here, if you want it.

“But I don't like sitting on my butt and staring at screens for hours upon hours!” you might be saying. Well, first off, you're lying. We know you streamed all 14 episodes of Orange Is The New Black's second season right when it came out, you Netflix-binging drone. Second of all? Whatever, we've still got you covered.

For starters? Well, the Dallas Museum of Art is having its regular Late Nights at the Museum deal on Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight. Per usual, attending this one will you get free access to the DMA, the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art, as well as the chance to attend a slew of ancillary events, including special short screenings, a Twitter scavenger hunt, various live music set and booze. (Yes, booze is an event.)

Meanwhile, out in Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum is hosting a free-to-attend event called “Matsuri! A Samurai Celebration” on Saturday. The event will feature live music from Sarah Jaffe and Air Review and also offer free attendance into the Kimbell's current “Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection” exhibit. There’s also face painting, tai chi instruction and a “selfie” photo booth — their quotes, not ours, as we've long accepted selfie as a real word.

A little father out, there are plenty of upcoming gallery openings to mark down on your calendar, too.

On June 28 in the Basement Gallery, the entirely-printmaking exhibit “Real Print Sh*t” will have its opening, and there will be live screen-printing, printmaking on taco shells and art. Oh, and it's curated by Raymond Butler, the same guy who put together that “Dallas is Dead” show that we absolutely dug. As for the name of this new endeavor? Here's how Butler explains it: “It's real art, they are prints, and it's the shit!” OK, then. Consider us sold.

Speaking of sales: On July 12, a cash-and-carry art show called “The Estate” will be going down at Two Bronze Doors off of Lower Greenville. Noted area poster designers Kyle Confehr and Nevada Hill are among the 12 featured artists at this show, which promises to satisfy many palates.

As for what you should be checking out this week? Well, there are a few things. Tonight, the “Man as Machine” art show happening at Three Three Three First Avenue promises to go all terminator on your ass with machine-inspired fashion and makeup designs as well as art. Also tonight, the video series created by Jeff Gibbons and Gregory Ruppe called “:PURE DURATION:” continues with “A Beetle on Its Back” at Beefhaus, which as with most everything at Beefhaus could either leave you feeling enlightened or a little weirded out. Lastly, Friday night finds the latest installment of the RAW showcases going down at Lizard Lounge.

Now go forth and prosper!

Cover image via the Kimbell's site. Got a tip for Blank Slate? Email us!