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    Rare Birds

    Train projecting: Pablo Gimenez Zapiola puts art in motion to get on a Houstonroll

    Chris Becker
    Jul 14, 2011 | 1:29 pm
    • "Power Intense" by artist Pablo Gimenez Zapiola
      Photo by Pablo Gimenez Zapiola
    • "Mas all de Luna" by Agus Taboada
      Photo by Pablo Gimenez Zapiola
    • "Pleasure Maximize" by Pablo Gimenez Zapiola
      Photo by Pablo Gimenez Zapiola

    Pablo Gimenez Zapiola’s alchemic art is rooted in his love of drawing, painting, architecture, photography, film and video. An exhibition of his works opens Friday at Spacetaker Artist Resource Center and includes works for a video that I first saw via Vimeo thanks to a tip from Labotanica gallery director Ayanna Jolivet McCloud.

    For Friday’s opening, Zapiola will be performing with two projectors, casting words and lines of poetry onto moving trains as they roll by Winter Street Studios.

    A recent recipient of an Individual Arts Grant Award, which is funded by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Zapiola is gaining some well-deserved attention for his work. The day after the Spacetaker opening, he will be a part of a group show at Sicardi Gallery. He is the one video artist in that particular show.

    Zapiola prefers to be simply called an "artist.” He understands the need gallery owners and critics have to package, market and sell. But he isn’t interested in boxing in his art.

    Did I just refer to him a “video artist?” That’s a mistake. Zapiola prefers to be simply called an "artist.” He understands the need gallery owners and critics have to package, market and sell. But he isn’t interested in boxing in his art.

    What follows is an edited transcription of a recent conversation with Zapiola:

    CultureMap: Your background is in photography, painting and architecture?

    Pablo Gimenez Zapiola: I did painting long ago. Lots of painting, oil, acrylic, also pencil, graphite …

    CM: Did one medium lead to the next?

    PGZ: No. I tried kind of everything and managed a way to learn it and to do it kind of … well? So I always had those methods whenever I needed to express something. But what I did the most was drawing. With pencil. Drawing all kinds of stuff — motorcycles, birds, house, and while studying architecture, I drew a LOT.

    CM: What brought you to Houston?

    PGZ: The economic crisis in Argentina. I had my own graphic design studio. I was working for a long time and then everything went very bad, and I decided to move here to try something different. A friend [in Houston] told me, “Come to my house and look for something.” So I came with my bicycle, a couple of dollars, and I started from scratch.

    CM: The text, lines of poetry and words that you project on the trains — where do they come from?

    PGZ: They are from different parts of the world. Some are from poets in Argentina. One poet is from France, one from Russia, but both live in Argentina.

    The main idea is to project on a moving thing. I don’t like projecting on still things — I do that sometimes. But I think its much more interesting for me to project onto moving things. I don’t know why.

    CM: It’s sort of … it transports you to someplace else very quickly. I’ve only seen this on video. But right off the bat I forgot I was watching words being projected on a passing train; that wasn’t the experience I was having. It’s almost like a gateway to another experience.

    PGZ: That’s my purpose. When I do my projects, I never think about what I want to achieve or anything, I just have the idea and I start trying it. Since I know all of those different things, the video, architecture … they merge together and I just start trying things. And then I start to see meaning in what I’m doing. I don’t like explaining my work. I think it narrows down the meaning it could have for other people. I think that’s much more important than what it means to me.

    You know all art has become like a commodity in a way. They always ask you to explain what you’re doing.

    CM: Right.

    PGZ: And I think that’s a mistake. But because they have to sell it, they have to approach people with some kind of packaging. Art shouldn’t be a product. You can sell art, but you can’t treat it like that.

    If I frame it and put it in a package … it can’t be more than that. I think art is less for the artist and more for the world.

    CM: The words that you use — do you do any kind of editing when you get words from somebody?

    PGZ: Two days ago, one of the poets sent me a poem that she just wrote when she woke up at 4:30 in the morning. She said, “This is for you,” and it was perfect! Except for the last line. So I said, you should take out that last line. if you take it off, the poem stays “open.” But with that sentence you're closing the poem. And she took it off.

    CM: Are you just projecting words, or an image as well?

    PGZ: Yes. There is another projection from another projector. It’s kind of complicated, because I don’t do this with a computer. And I don’t have all the material in one file. This work needs a lot of adjustment so everything comes within the frame and the words are straight, not tilted. I have to adjust everything, the focus [when the train comes].

    CM: It really is a performance.

    PGZ: Yeah. To me it’s kind of a mystic experience.

    CM: (After taking a look at Zapiola’s animation Tubes) Can you tell me what we’re looking at, exactly?
    PGZ: A series of photographs, a sequence — I just put one after the other. These are photos I did in London in the tube. You can’t put a tripod up because the police will come and get you. Or maybe they’ll kill you like they did the Brazilian. So I just go with my camera … I have thousands of pictures of the tube in London … [In] this animation you have the movement and the stillness, which creates a dialogue.
    I go to Photoshop to adjust each picture. Since I don’t have a tripod I have to overlap them perfectly. They still move a little bit. I like the movement, I don’t care. Then I go to Flash and place each picture, I set a speed and I create an image and that’s how it is.
    CM: At Friday’s opening, you’ll also have sound created by Carlos Pozo. How do you two collaborate?
    PGZ: The work is very casual. A couple weeks ago we were discussing at Spacetaker what we could do so that when people are waiting and I am waiting for the train they don’t get bored! What could we add, right? I thought about Carlos. I met him two years ago at Labotanica and heard his — it’s not music — his sounds! And thought, this is perfect for my animations. It is not possible for something MORE perfect.
    CM: He probably thought the same thing about your images!
    PGZ: In some way we are one. We don’t work for that, there isn’t any effort. It’s just the dialogue between our projects, they merge so well. I feel so comfortable with his sounds. He’s going to create sound for the gallery so that sound is always playing when the gallery is open. And he’s going to perform the days I perform. He’ll be there with his stuff creating custom sounds.
    CM: And you’ll have the sounds of the train.
    PGZ: Of course!
    "Meaning In Motion," an exhibition by Pablo Gimenez Zapiola, runs Friday through August 13 in Studio B11 at Spacetaker, located at 2101 Winter St. The opening reception is 7 to 10 Friday night. Admission is free. Live projection performances take place Friday, July 21, and 27 and August 6 and 12 from 8:45 to 10:45 p.m.
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    weekend event planner

    These are the 14 best things to do in Houston on Memorial Day weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    May 21, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Caption: Altitude Rooftop & Pool at Marriott Marquis Houston
    Marriott Marquis Houston
    Float the Texas-shaped lazy river at the Marriott Marquis Houston.

    It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and Houstonians have many ways to enjoy it besides just grilling in the backyard with the fam.

    Meow Wolf is a throwing a “neon prom,” and Theater Under the Stars is performing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical. Hear local musicians celebrate Motown at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Float in Marriott Marquis Houston’s Texas-shaped lazy river. Or get tipsy with friends at Pearland Wine Fest. Just don’t forget to drink responsibly.

    Thursday, May 22

    Alyssa Edwards: Crowned
    From the small town of Mesquite, Texas to the worldwide stage, hear how Justin Johnson (better known as Alyssa Edwards) went from a shy boy to the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars. Packed with Alyssa's signature humor and wit, she’ll share the outrageous, side-splitting tales of her rise to fame — broken heels, chipped nails, and all — delivered as only she can. Head over to House of Blues this weekend to take in all the fabulousness. 7 pm.

    Meow Wolf Houston presents Adulti-Verse: Neon Prom
    Meow Wolf Houston’s Adulti-Verse: Neon Prom invites adults 21 and up to step into a fully reimagined version of the classic rite of passage — over-processed hair, unprocessed feelings, and a surreal landscape of explorable art. Attendees can expect nostalgic music all night, interactive photo moments, surprise crowning ceremonies, and plenty of space to show up in their interpretation of a Meow Wolf prom. 7 pm.

    Theatre Under the Stars presents In the Heights
    For the final show of their season, Theatre Under The Stars will present Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical, In The Heights. The New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights is a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s here that a bodega owner named Usnavi and his friends dream, hope, and work for a brighter future. Through Sunday, June 1. 7:30 pm (8 pm Friday; 2 and 8 pm Saturday; 2 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

    Friday, May 23

    Marriott Marquis Houston presents Summer Elevated
    This Memorial Day Weekend, Marriott Marquis Houston is kicking off summer with the return of Summer Elevated. Running through Labor Day, this rooftop poolside series turns the hotel –– home to the iconic Texas-shaped lazy river and an infinity pool with sweeping views of downtown –– into an urban resort. Summer Elevated is complimentary for Houstonians enjoying a staycation at the hotel this summer, and locals who want to spend a day at the hotel can join in on the fun thanks to Resort Pass.7 am.

    ARTECHOUSE presents Blooming Wonders
    Building upon ARTECHOUSE’s recent announcement of the Houston debut of Rolling Stone Presents: AMPLIFIED, the organization has announced that it will launch a companion exhibition for the summer. Originally produced by ARTECHOUSE Studio for its Washington, D.C. location, the exhibition creatively reimagines the beauty of nature through a seamless blend of art and science, highlighting the delicate relationship between the environment and the shifting climate. Noon.

    Kinetic Ensemble presents Deep Rooted: Celebrating Ten Years of Music-Making in Houston
    Kinetic Ensemble closes out its milestone 10th season with a program tracing and celebrating its Houston roots. The evening features no less than three premieres: a new work by composer Mason Bynes (who hails from Sugar Land, and is now based in New York) that expands upon her school-age hobby of composing musical telegrams for friends and classmates; the Texas premiere of In Light of Sound by genre-defying artist Evan Ziporyn; and a short fanfare by founding member, violinist-composer Giancarlo Latta. 7:30 pm.

    Bacement Foundation for the Arts presents Motown & More Revue
    We love the old-school R&B around the parts, so we’re definitely psyched about Bacement Foundation for the Arts presenting an R&B-packed weekend showcasing the city’s hottest talent. It will be a journey down memory lane with the biggest soul, funk, and R&B classics of all time, including songs by The Temptations, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, The Isley Brothers, and more, including a brand-new Frankie Beverly Forever tribute. 8:15 pm.

    Saturday, May 24

    The RIver Oaks Theatre presents Essentials: Rushmore
    Before his latest film The Phoenician Scheme hits theaters, check out the 1998 movie that put filmmaker/proud Houstonian Wes Anderson on the map. When a beautiful first-grade teacher (Olivia WIlliams) arrives at a prep school, she soon attracts the attention of ambitious teenager Max Fischer (Jason Schwarzman), who quickly falls in love with her. However, the situation soon gets complicated when Max's new friend Herman Blume (Bill Murray) becomes involved with her, setting the two pals against one another in a war for her attention. 3:30 pm.

    Pearland Wine Fest
    Pearland Wine Fest will showcase a selection of wines from top-tier wine brands alongside local vendors offering unique goods, artisanal treats, and gourmet pairings. Sample an impressive selection of wines from renowned brands and hidden gems, perfect for every palate — from bold reds to crisp whites and everything in between. The event will also feature live music, activities, and more. 5 pm.

    Monterroso Gallery presents “JJ Baker: Closer Than They Appear” opening reception
    JJ Baker’s first solo exhibition has everyday objects transformed through his use of oil paint on found materials. By reimagining items often overlooked or discarded, Baker invites us to reconsider how we assign value and to notice beauty in unexpected places, shifting how we see the ordinary. Originally from Cincinnati, JJ Baker spent five years in Houston as a high school art teacher and artist before pursuing his MFA through the Alfred-Düsseldorf Painting Program. Through Saturday, July 5. 6 pm.

    Art Club at POST Houston Presents DJ Night – Sofia Kourtesis
    Peruvian-born, Berlin-based producer and DJ Sofia Kourtesis brings her deeply personal and globally resonant sound to Art Club. Known for blending Latin American rhythms, Berlin house, and field recordings from her travels, Kourtesis creates emotional landscapes that pulse with activism, memory, and movement. Her debut album Madres — named one of Pitchfork’s Best Albums of 2023 — showcases her unique ability to turn personal narratives into dancefloor anthems. 10 pm.

    Sunday, May 25

    Maven at Sawyer Yards presents Beats, Brews, and Barks
    As part of its popular Beats & Brews series, Maven at Sawyer Yards is hosting this special edition. In partnership with the LMJ Foundation, this event highlights animal welfare and pet adoption. Guests are encouraged to bring their own dogs to enjoy the festivities, including a pop-up from Lucky Dog Mobile Groomers, who will be offering complimentary nail trims for four-legged attendees. 11:15 am.

    Wooster’s Garden presents Kitchen Takeover
    Wooster’s Garden is hosting a one-night-only Kitchen Takeover, featuring celebrated chef Javier Becerra. Guests can expect fun Mexican dishes such as prime ribeye tacos with caramelized onions and salsa roja, a crudo flight, and pork belly pastor tacos with grilled pineapple, all served until they are sold out. This no-cover event will also have a live DJ and a lineup of craft cocktails from the bar. 4 pm.

    Project Row Houses 3rd Ward House Party: The Writers Bench Edition
    It’s the last hurrah for Project Row Houses’ Third Ward House Party, which will have its last community "jump-off" this weekend. It's The Writers Bench Edition, so come through and mingle/create with fellow hip-hop culture lovers. DJs Comp 1 and BBC will be providing the grooves, and barbecue will be served all day. Kiddie hip-hop artist Classic Kiki will also be shooting a music video at the party. Noon.

    Caption: Altitude Rooftop & Pool at Marriott Marquis Houston
      
    Marriott Marquis Houston

    Float the Texas-shaped lazy river at the Marriott Marquis Houston.

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