Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/426035
A mong art history's most glorious epochs, the waning decades of the 19th century produced one of the defining movements of the last millennium: Impressionism. Two exhibitions you won't see anywhere but Texas offer very compelling reasons to attend the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Fort Worth's Kimbell Art Museum this season. At the MFAH, the sweeping expanse of the Mies van der Rohe Upper Brown Pavilion underscores the surprising modernity of Monet, served up in a fresh take that marks the first-ever examination of the father of Impressionism's obsession with a body of water that pre-dated Giverny's storied lily ponds. "Monet and the Seine: Impressions of a River" bears the import of a blockbuster without the hoopla, bringing together 52 canvases from 46 public and private collections worldwide that will never again be in the same place at one time. It's the ultimate anecdote to holiday burnout (through February 1). A bookend to the splendors of Monet's waterway is the Kimbell's ambitious look at the people who caught the attention, and appeared on the canvases of, (again) Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, Van Gogh, Lautrec, Caillebotte and Gauguin, as well as under- known women painters of the era, Berthe Morisot and Eva Gonzalès. Spanning the 1850s to the early 20th century, "Faces of Impressionism: Portraits from the Musée d'Orsay" reveals that the movement was more than Monet's water lilies, Cézanne's Mont Sainte-Victoire and the tropical pleasures of Gauguin's Tahiti. Included are Degas' café classic L'Absinthe, 1875-1876, a delicious, ambiguous image of debauchery and psychological loneliness that foreshadows Edward Hopper; Van Gogh's startling, rarely reproduced The Italian Girl (Agostina Segatori, Proprietress of the Parisian Cabaret "Le Tambourin"), 1887; and Manet's The Balcony, 1868-1869, a bourgeois scene of the upper crust that hints at household drama. All are works that remind us how contemporary the Impressionists really were (through January 25). Information mfah.org, kimbellart.org. Catherine D. Anspon Magnificence des Impressionnistes Van Gogh's The Italian Girl (Agostina Segatori, Proprietress of the Parisian Cabaret "Le Tambourin"), 1887, at the Kimbell Art Museum MUSÉE D'ORSAY, PARIS SHELBURNE MUSEUM, SHELBURNE, VERMONT The 88th annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is a gift unto itself — a glossy magalog overflowing with swoon-worthy treasures such as lambskin Lanvin gloves and Saint Laurent studded black leather boots. This year, we are smitten with the House of Creed Custom Fragrance and Trip fantasy gift. This lavish journey of self-discovery starts with two first-class tickets to Paris, where the sole purchaser and a guest meet with sixth-generation master perfumer Olivier Creed (whose House of Creed atelier is in the French countryside near Fontainbleau) to create a bespoke fragrance. Also on the itinerary are five-star accommodations, white-glove car service, a spa experience, private tours and dining with Creed himself. A few months after your aventure française, you will receive two dozen 14K gold-gilded six-liter flacons and a dozen 14K gold-accented leather atomizers of a fragrance nonpareil: your custom scent. With the purchase of this gift, Neiman Marcus will donate $5,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, which supports youth arts education in communities across the country. $475,000, through 877.966.4438; neimanmarcus.com/fantasycreed. Linden Wilson White hydrangea, dusty miller, eucalyptus pods, brunia, pine cones and vintage antlers, $175 FLIGHT OF FANTASY Monet's Ice Floes (Les Glaçons), 1880, at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Art Notes Forty-Five Candles: The venerable Colquitt anchor Hooks-Epstein Galleries celebrates 45 years with a profound painting show for Kermit Oliver, who has been with the gallery for 27 of those years. Oliver, the only American artist to design scarves for Hermès, creates canvases imbued with quiet dignity and a touch of the divine (December 6 – January 10). Mr. Drake Arrives: Also generating excitement is Moody Gallery's solo for Venice Biennale-exhibited James Drake. His deeply layered drawings serve as metaphoric maps to the universe (December 6 – January 10). Also catch Drake's epic show at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin (through January 4). Book Woman: The final Colquitt must- see is Laura Rathe Fine Art's exhibition for Austin-based Karen Hawkins, who literally mines art from the printed page: Her 10-foot totems are fabricated from old text, antique books and yearbooks (December 6 – January 10). "Super Fresh": What a terrific and apt title for Gallery Sonja Roesch's doubleheader for geometric abstractionists Day-Glo painter Jonathan Leach and Mondrian-minded Myke Venable (through January 17). Domestic Bliss: Redbud Gallery's exhibit for the mythic John Runnels pairs found early photographs with prosaic oven doors (December 6 – 28) … Anya Tish Gallery rolls out a group show where eight artists cleverly send up concepts of the house and home goods, including the incredible drawings of Neva Mikulicz, international photographers Daniela Edburg and Vadim Gushchin and Swiss video miss Katja Loher (through December 27). Honors to the Art Prince: Top collector, friend of artists and benefactor to museums and nonprofits Lester Marks has been named the inaugural Patron of the Year by the Community Artists' Collective. Marks will be honored at a private evening early next year; come September, the Collective's annual luncheon bestows its first-ever Lester Marks' Patron of the Year Award to another high-minded patron. Metoyer Rising: The career of artist Angelbert Metoyer — one of Marks' first discoveries — intersects science and music. Deborah Colton Gallery unveils his mixed-media works and installations marked by intuitive drawing sampled from the cosmos and nature (through January 3). Knitted Splendors: We are smitten with the conceptually smart work of Brazilian/Pompidou- exhibited Ana Maria Tavares, showcased in "Euryale Amazonica," at Sicardi Gallery. Tavares conjures micro worlds and miniature pieces of architecture from humble, lacy and intricate needlework (through December 20). Painter's Progress: At Meredith Long & Company, British talent/St. Martins grad Alexander Duncan's canvases, filled with light and space, balance between figuration and abstraction (opening December 4). Online Insights: Investigate more arts scoop on our revamped website, papercitymag. com, including monthly insider interviews with an important cast of influencers/curatorial characters. Catherine D. Anspon Kermit Oliver's An Evening Grosbeak on a Partridge Cage, 2014, at Hooks-Epstein Galleries COURTESY THE ARTIST AND HOOKS-EPSTEIN GALLERIES Social Whirl We've come to the end of the fall social season, and Jack Frost is nipping at our heels. Monday, December 1, AIDS Foundation Houston holds its annual World AIDS Day Luncheon at The Westin Galleria Hotel. Co-chairs Dominique Sachse and David Chaumette; honorary chair Travis Torrence; the Shelby Hodge Vision Award to be presented to Senator Rodney Ellis; guest speaker Dr. Brandon Brown (713.623.6796; aidshelp. org) … Wednesday, December 3, Best Buddies Texas concludes its annual fund-raising campaign competition with the EveryBuddy is Beautiful Fashion Show at the Ensemble Theatre. Expect a VIP reception, fashion show and the crowning of the 2014 Champion of the Year (713.525.8475; ardenstone@bestbuddies.org) … Wednesday, December 10, Legacy Community Health Services' signature Holiday Schmooze takes place at Kathryn and Jeff Smith's home. Proceeds benefit Legacy's AIDS and HIV programs. Cocktails and bites by Jackson and Company; media sponsor PaperCity (832.548.5276; info@legacycommunityhealth.org) … Sunday, December 14, Houston Symphony makes beautiful music at Magical Musical Morning, benefitting the Symphony's Music Matters! programs. Chaired by Lilly Andress and Kim Lucas, the annual holiday brunch at River Oaks Country Club includes an instrument petting zoo, arts and crafts, holiday shopping and a visit with Santa; holiday festive attire; media sponsor PaperCity (713.238.1485; specialevents@houstonsymphony.org). Erin Oppenheim Whole Foods Market, 1700 Post Oak Blvd., 713.346.0537, wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/postoak If you've driven through the intersection of Post Oak Boulevard at San Felipe during the past 12 months, you've no doubt seen the Whole Foods Market that was being built brick by proverbial brick. Encompassing 55,000 square feet of prime real estate, with parking in front and in the covered garage below, the ninth WFM to enter the city is the only one in the Austin-based chain with its own brewery. Yes, the health food emporium devoted to organically grown, sustainably raised, hormone-free meats and fish and local foodstuffs has debuted an in-store craft beer brewery. A delivery tricycle with a pair of kegs saddled on the back serves guests throughout the store — that is, if you're not quaffing your brew at the 40-seat Whole Foods Market Brewery Company bar with 20 beers on tap or bottling it to go. If you're craving other liquid nourishment, place an order at the cold- pressed juice and smoothie bar. Catering to those who want lunch or dinner on the go, there's also a souvlaki grill with Mediterranean-style eats, a barbecue bar, pizzeria, charcuterie bar, sushi station and taqueria where you can customize your tacos and sandwiches, in addition to Whole Foods' famed salad bar and prepared-food area, plus a decadent candy bar and cookie cart. The cheese counter employs a full-time cheese monger to help you pair your fromage — and don't forget the bakery, florist, impressive meat and seafood counters, or a produce department that inspire you to eat five veggies a day, every day. See something that intrigues you on the shelf — say, those pumpkin-spiced sweet potato chips? Just tug the sleeve of a WFM partner, and they'll happily tear open a bag to give you a sample. Now, that's what we call service. (By they way, they're delicious.) Laurann Claridge OFF to the MARKET A New Flame Coveted skincare brand La Mer, whose Crème de la Mer elixir is worshipped worldwide, debuts its first-ever candle this month — a refreshing scent inspired by the sea (bien sûr) and encased in emerald glass. We don't think holding your face to the flame will help, but the scent is lovely. $80, at Neiman Marcus Downtown and NorthPark. Linden Wilson The new Whole Foods on Post Oak — 55,000 square feet of wholesomeness