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When has fall been, well, so momentous in the Texas art world? While Houston heats up with not one, but two art fairs — Texas Contemporary Art Fair (September 4 - 7) and Houston Fine Art Fair (September 18 - 21) — Dallas is not without its share of action. Peruse our Re-Entrée section for more of what we love art-wise. Next month, we'll preview our region's answer to the Whitney Biennial, and it's in Bentonville, Arkansas: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's 100-plus artist roundup of what is truly going on in American art — beyond Brooklyn, that is ("State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now," September 13, 2014 - January 19, 2015) … Speaking of love, Texas painter Kristen Cliburn makes her Dallas debut at Cris Worley Fine Arts with vaporous portals of air-brushed pigment that conjure Agnes Martin's "Love" series (extended through August 23) … Venture to Deep Ellum for some really cool shopping at proprietor Brian Gibb's The Public Trust "Summer Show." We're all for cash-and-carry art (and, of course, you can use your credit card, too; through August 30). We're also excited about Gibb's upcoming appearance at the above-mentioned Texas Contemporary Art Fair … Finally, meet Dallas-headquartered obsessive sculptor Jeff Robinson, whose decades-spanning career has segued from a nationally acclaimed pottery practice to handsomely honing furniture from wood. Marvel at Robinson's way with wood, including complex creations as tall as a person that bear tunnels reminiscent of deep-space time-travel wormholes. The materials man is showcased at The MADI (Museum of Geometric and MADI Art) — an under-known Dallas destination dedicated to the MADI movement that deserves investigation — along with international painters Beti Bricelj and Israel Guevera (through October). Catherine D. Anspon Art Notes Contemporary Canvas: Skylar Fein BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEXAS CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR DALLAS Beauty Beat One of America's most intriguing rising art stars is New Orleans-based Skylar Fein, a Whitney-collected artist who stirs debate through works that address politics, history and sexuality. His much-talked-about sculpture Remember the Upstairs Lounge, for example, examines the unsolved 1973 arson targeting a gay church meeting in a French Quarter bar; it's now in the permanent collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Jonathan Ferrara Gallery brings Fein's latest to the Texas Contemporary Art Fair in September — works that are much lighter in spirit: giant painted metal matchbooks that merge Pop with the tradition of text-based art- making. We caught up with Fein via email to learn more. Your artistic predecessors for this sculpture. If I'm going to give credit where credit is due — and I should, for once — then it's Claes Oldenburg who gets the shout-out here. His giant sculptures of electric plugs, typewriters and cheeseburgers pushed Pop deep into the macabre. Why matchbooks? Because a common object is a perfect meeting place. That's an Oldenburg quote, actually — from the 1980s, if I remember correctly, but it's still true: In objects, we discover society, and in objects, society discovers itself. The most banal objects are anything but. Do you see this series following in the tradition of text-based artists such as Ruscha or Holzer? I've made a lot of text-based work. Man, does it drive people crazy. You'd be amazed at how many people are bothered by art with words. They're just annoyed. And they're always haranguing me about it. It's like 1890 all over again. I'm always telling these people, "Modernism happened." For inspiration, I'm always going back to the beginning. For really dense text pieces, check out the Russian Constructivists, who were proud graphic designers, or the Italian Futurists, who were unapologetic bookmakers. Are these sculptures based on actual match covers? So far, all the matchbooks have been giant- scale versions of very real matchbooks. I got the best ones from my mother. Who knew that the Pentagon had matchbooks? (Glittery silver on black, no less!) But pretty soon, I'm going to throw some curveballs. Let's see if you can spot them. J essica Barouche knows how to live la belle vie; she was born and raised in Paris and worked for Hermès. Now she's sharing her secrets with those of us who haven't had the fabulous opportunity to reside in France. Through her Dallas- based lifestyle company BeFRNCH, Barouche transforms her clients' closets, menus and travels by sprinkling a little je ne sais quoi into daily lives. Whether it's introducing new French labels and tweaking one's wardrobe into effortless style, consulting on fresh-cut charcuterie and camembert from Normandy or planning an authentic travel itinerary (you'll still see the Eiffel Tower sparkle, but the plans will be tailored to your taste), Barouche is up for the task. "Sharing French brands and style, trying French foods and, of course, helping clients plan trips to my beloved home country are just a few ways I plan on creating a little Paris here in the Big D," she says. 1623 Main St., 214.998.5753, befrnch.com. Linden Wilson Vive la France Jessica Barouche Kristen Cliburn's With Joy, 2014, at Cris Worley Fine Arts Skylar Fein's What You Want Is Alive and Real, 2014, at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery Get a handle on this Salvatore Ferragamo handbag collection. Named after the late great founder and designer's eldest daughter, Fiamma Ferragamo, the namesake collection, Fiamma, is destined to a signature notable for the Italian fashion house — witness the bowler bag, available in five sizes ranging from mini to mega, with a sizeable padlock and ample style iterations, from classic black leather to rare violet python and, our personal fave, this brown python and fox-fur number. Ferragamo creative director Massimiliano Giornetti designed the pieces to commemorate the influence of the Ferragamo dames on the brand — with special emphasis on Fiamma, the brains behind the house's handbag collection that debuted circa 1970. The new eponymous collection also borrows various elements from her coveted 1990s design. Fiamma Collection, from $1,690, at the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique. Anna Schuster Goal: Fiamma for the Win Brown python and fox fur Fiamma handbag $4,900 Walk into the glorious new Pirch kitchen and bath showroom located in the upper level of NorthPark Center (where Barneys New York once resided), and chefs are grilling, cappuccino machines steam and showers rain down. This new kitchen, bath and laundry world, personally invited to NorthPark by the Nasher family, is slated to open at the end of the month, elevating the appliance and plumbing shopping experience by presenting kitchen, bath, laundry and outdoor kitchens in eye-catching live vignettes with fully functional appliances and plumbing. This is a playground for inspiration and instruction for the homeowner, interior designer, architect, home builder and those of us who want to try before we buy. Grills, stovetops and ovens operate with chefs ready to instruct, while showers, baths, washers and dryers spray, steam and gurgle. In an airy, gorgeously designed 32,000 square feet, meticulously selected brands such as Miele, Electrolux, Jaclo, Rohl, Sub-Zero/Wolf, Asko, Gaggenau, Jenn-Air, Thermador, Abbai, AGA and La Cornue are just the tip of the offerings. Another revolutionary retail service: Once you've made your choices, Pirch manages the entire experience, including delivery, installation and service — no third parties involved. Nirvana. NorthPark Center, 469.250.9750, pirch.com. Linden Wilson An Upscale PIRCH COURTESY JONATHAN FERRARA GALLEY, NEW ORLEANS Skylar Fein COURTESY JONATHAN FERRARA GALLEY, NEW ORLEANS September 4 – 7, 2014 H O U S T O N txcontemporary.com Powder Coated: In a departure from greasy sunblock that no one likes to apply, Dallas-based beauty wizard Susan Posnick of Susan Posnick Cosmetics (formerly the personal makeup artist to Mary Kay) has created Brush On Block, a mineral powder sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 that gives perfectly flawless, water- and sweat-resistant coverage. Simply dust it across your face with the soft, self-dispensing brush, and instead of seeping into your skin and clogging pores, Brush on Block sits on top of your skin to reflect UVA & UVB rays away. $30, refill $16, at brushonblock. com, susanposnick.com … They Call Me Bright Eyes: "I designed this eye treatment for the busy girl or guy who might not be getting a full night's sleep," says aesthetician and Dallasite Renée Rouleau. "It gives instant de-puffing and brightening for a refreshed look." Hailed as a foremost skincare expert, Rouleau has unveiled Vitamin C Eye Brightener, an eye cream that not only reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness but also hydrates and firms tired skin. Its main ingredient, pumped-up Vitamin C, delivers 50 times higher levels of I-ascorbic acid, which stimulates collagen and reduces pigmentation. Sans synthetic dyes, fragrances, gluten or alcohol, the cream has a lightweight feel and clean scent. Rouleau's advice: Apply with your ring finger in a gentle patting motion along the orbital bone. This will instantly brighten your eyes, even if you're in desperate need of some shut-eye. $60, at Renée Rouleau Skin Care Spa, 1722 Routh St., 214.735.4364, reneerouleau.com … Just Friends. It's Complicated. Never Again: These aren't dating woes — they're the signature names of lipsticks and lip balms found in John Piermarini's new beauty collection at Piermarini Boutique in Snider Plaza. Launched in late June, Piermarini Beauty is comprised of 32 cosmetic and skincare products containing SPF and natural ingredients such as water lily extract, avocado oil and Vitamins C and K. The products are simple and classic — just like the clothing in the boutique. $18 to $48, at Piermarini Boutique, 6827 Snider Plaza, 214.303.1261, piermariniboutique.com. Linden Wilson AUGUST | PAGE 06 | 2014