Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/618807
In the Rearview Mirror: The year 2015 saw great change in our visual world. The Glassell School of Art's glass bricks toppled — coming 2017, a new grass-roofed Glassell, part of the vision of architect Steven Holl for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's transformative new campus, of which director Gary Tinterow is the admiral … Meanwhile, work on the Menil Drawing Institute, an exquisite and intimate addition to the campus, designed by Johnston Marklee architects, continues; ETA is also 2017, making next year a double architectural header for Houston's museum world … Artist-founded DiverseWorks, established 1982, opens Thursday, January 14, in its new home at ambitious MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston) at 3400 Main Street. Rachel Cool curates the debut exhibition "What Shall We Do Next?" probing technology and the human body (through March 19). Changing of the Guard: The luminaries who guide our scene are changing too. Menil director Josef Helfenstein returns to his Swiss homeland to take a plum post at Kunstmuseum Basel, as its new director. Helfenstein will be missed — his modesty paired with understated brilliance and shows from outsider artist Bill Traylor to Gandhi are part of his legacy, as well as the opening up of the Menil, in a way we're sure that its founders would embrace … Also at the Menil, long-time communications director and man of letters Vance Muse retires. Muse was the perfect press officer, being himself a member of the press. (Watch our website this spring for insider tales from Muse's desk). Arrivals: Moving from her previous post as Lawndale director to a powerful new position at Houston First Corporation is the capable Christine West. West's new assignment as cultural programs manager for Houston First calls for curating exhibitions and special events for the revamped George R. Brown Convention Center. Anticipation: This spring, Mark Flood gets a solo that promises to be weird and wonderful, curated at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston by CAMH director Bill Arning (opening night, Friday, April 29 – August 7). The Houston art scene may never be the same … We're looking forward to Apama Mackey's return to her Heights shipping container space (628 East 11th Street), as well as the opening of her Museum of Drawing, adjoining her gallery. Alpha and Omega: Three shows typify the diversity of the gallery culture. At Devin Borden Gallery, UH sculpture prof Paul Kittelson serves up Pop vignettes (January 8 – February 22) … An international reigns at Barbara Davis Gallery: Master of drawing and performance Andrea Bianconi travels in from New York and Venice to showcase his latest in "Fantastic Planet" (January 8 – February 6) … Hooks-Epstein Galleries rolls out the latest for crafts obsessive Edward Lane McCartney (January 16 – February 20). Hot Colquitt News: Gray Contemporary takes over the former McMurtrey Gallery space, opening January 16 — read deets at papercitymag.com. Catherine D. Anspon Art Notes Paul Kittelson's Falling Skies, 2015, at Devin Borden Gallery Andrea Bianconi performs during "Fantastic Planet" at Barbara Davis Gallery COURTESY THE ARTIST AND BARBARA DAVIS GALLERY COURTESY THE ARTIST AND DEVIN BORDEN GALLERY Killen's Steakhouse, 6425 W. Broadway, Pearland, 281.485.0844, killenssteakhouse.com Chef Ronnie Killen has inspired many of us to make the pilgrimage out Highway 288 to 518, to stand in line at his acclaimed barbecue joint for arguably the best barbecue lunch around. Late last year, the French-schooled chef (Le Cordon Bleu in London) with a penchant for red meat relocated his carnivorous concept to a recently rehabbed 12,000-square-foot space in Pearland and dubbed it Killen's Steakhouse. This gentleman of exacting standards ensures that no detail on the plate goes unconsidered. He searched out the best USDA-grade prime beef and selected Allen Brothers, in addition to East Texas Strube Ranch's Wagyu beef (grass-fed 27-ounce bone-in rib-eye, $75) and Coalinga California-area Harris Ranch, which Killen hails as the best filet he's ever had (10-ounce, $46). His beef selections are vast, from wet-aged 28-day New York strip cuts (18-ounce, $48) to certified Piedmontese from Nebraska, a leaner cut marketed as the healthier option to highly marbled Texas Akaushi beef (bone-in filet mignon, $55). While Killen was schooled in the French manner, he forgoes a side of sauce on cuts exiting his kitchen. Instead, expect a crisp, flavorsome crust achieved by time spent over a mesquite fire grill before being finished beneath a state-of-the-art infrared broiler, then five to eight minutes of rest so the juices settle. Nearly any chef cringes at an order for a well-done steak; Killen suggests enjoying these pristine cuts "medium rare plus," a designation that cooks the meat to a rosy hue inside and an internal temperature of 133 degrees. Of course, there are winged and sea options, too, from pan-seared Gulf snapper with jumbo lump crab and lemon butter ($28) to a moist sous vide-cooked Springer mountain chicken ($24). Rave-worthy sides (all $8) include a decadent cream corn, potatoes au gratin and skillet potatoes topped with a sunny-side-up egg. Desserts, made in- house, are the classic American steakhouse sort, including warm carrot cake and two cheesecakes (standard or chocolate truffle). Laurann Claridge MEAT UP Texas venison, roasted root vegetables and smoked cauliflower with pomegranate glaze at Killen's Steakhouse KIMBERLY PARK Extraordinary residential real estate service and knowledge. Every time. 713.553.4255 m a r y h a l e m c l e a n . c o m West University The stars are aligned in the international photography world — and they're beaming upon Houston this spring, thanks to a remarkable doubleheader led by two preeminent photographic nonprofits. Houston Center for Photography celebrates a milestone 35 years with its most significant Print Auction ever. Set for Wednesday, February 17, and chaired by Frazier King, the auction conducted by photo luminary Rick Wester features a print portfolio culled from some of HCP's founders, including FotoFest's Wendy Watriss and Fred Baldwin, George Krause (his beguiling nude, Swish, graces the mailer), Keith Carter, Mary Margaret Hansen, MANUAL (Ed Hill/Suzanne Bloom) and even former MFAH curator Anne Wilkes Tucker, from her days as a photographer. National and international lensmen also number among the 76 silent and live auction lots, including Julie Blackmon's sly swimming- pool scene, decidedly not Slim Aarons; Joy Christiansen Erb, who stages surreal vignettes in domestic spaces (we're mad for the print of Peeps and poultry in a grand dining room); Klaus Enrique's Arcimboldo- inspired gent rendered in veggies; and, from the distant past, a 1913 photogravure by first lady of Victorian photography Julia Margaret Cameron, of scientist Sir John Herschel. Auction Preview at HCP January 15 – February 15; Monday, February 15, Anne Tucker and Clint Willour lead a curatorial tour of lots, followed by reception; free. HCP Print Auction Wednesday, February 17, at Junior League Houston, tickets from $150, tables from $1,500; contact Ashlyn PHOTO FOCUS Pedro David's Sufocamento #7, 2014, from the series "Madeira de Lei," at FotoFest Julie Blackmon's Pool, 2015, from the series "Homegrown," at Houston Center for Photography Davis, 713.529.4755, ext. 16, ashlyn@hcponline.org; preview lots hcponline.org. Four weeks later, it's FotoFest time. The 16th International Biennial of Photography unfurls Friday, March 11, with a (gratis) Opening Night bash at the newly minted Silos at Sawyer, spilling over to Silver Street Studios. The theme of this Biennial, curated by FotoFest co-founders Wendy Watriss and Fred Baldwin and executive director Steven Evans, promises to be the most prescient yet: "Changing Circumstances: Looking at the Future of the Planet." Then get ready to acquire at FotoFest's famed International Fine Print Auction; the nonprofit's major fund-raiser is set for Monday, March 21. More than 60 lots will be hammered down by auctioneer Denise Bethel (formerly of Sotheby's), while the evening honors Roy Henry Cullen (in memoriam). FotoFest International Fine Print Auction and Gala, Monday, March 21, at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Downtown; tickets $300, tables from $3,000; contact Alicia Campos, 713.223.5522 ext 14, auction@fotofest.org; fotofest.org. Catherine D. Anspon D ogs and decorators go hand in hand. Think of Alex Papachristidis' Yorkie, Mary McDonald's pugs, Mark D. Sikes' Frenchie and Nathan Turner's labs. Put a dog in a chic room on the cover of an interior design magazine, and it's bound to be a top seller. Fellow dog lover and L.A. designer Kelly Wearstler has introduced the Kelly Wearstler Dog Collection with three architectural doghouses: Avant ($2,500) made of cerused Douglas fir and adorned with a gold kiss seal; Beau ($3,500) is ebonized walnut; and the show-stopping Juxtapose ($4,500) tops a grid of ipe wood with a burnished bronze sphere. More accessible are marble dog bowls (large $495, small $395), bedding ($1,000) and collars and leashes made of premium leathers and metals, hand-detailed by L.A. artisans ($75 to $325). A portion of proceeds benefits Best Friends Animal Society, a philanthropic organization dear to Wearstler's heart. kellywearstler.com. Anne Lee Phillips Designer's BEST FRIEND Kelly Wearstler Gracie small dog bowl Kelly Wearstler Juxtapose doghouse