Road Trip

The Art Guys do Dallas: H-Town mavericks mess with Nasher Center, Cowboyscheerleaders

Bronze busts from the Forever Yours piece — a project in which the Art Guys selltheir ashes for a million dollars.
Art guys Jack Massing and Michael Galbreth pose with the live oak they marriedin 2009.
Photo by Everett Taasevigen
The Art Guys, Statue of Four Lies, 2010, University of Houston
Photo by Steven Thomson
The Art Guys, Lie in State: A Lunchtime Concert, 2008; one-hour event at HoustonCity Hall.
The Art Guys/Facebook

With their controversial tree marriage behind them and a 30th anniversary looming on the horizon next year, the Art Guys are taking a moment to reflect on their decades-long role as the "Smothers Brothers of the art world" with an afternoon lecture at Dallas' Nasher Sculpture Center Saturday.

Always up for a quick chat with the notorious duo, CultureMap spoke with Houston Art Guys Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing about the talk, which is called Enlightened Reflections in Broad Daylight. (The artists claim the title has nothing to do with the Nasher's recent sunlight issues caused by a nearby glass building . . . but we don't entirely believe them.)

"In the end, it's really just a talk that generally reflects our oeuvre," Galbreth said. "Although, I should probably note that pony rides always help a lecture."

"For events like this, we usually focus on the work and sweep of the Art Guys," a deadpan Massing explained. "I don't know, though. There's might be less history this time."

"There's a chance the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team might show up," Galbreth added wryly. "You need to add a little excitement to all the artistic and intellectual rigor. Plus, it makes us feel better about our work when there are people cheering.

"Even our bad work seems a little better."

Massing said most of the past lectures have involved "added attractions" of some sort. "We've had magicians and dancers and beer. Once we rented guitars."

"In the end, it's really just a talk that generally reflects our oeuvre," Galbreth said. "Although, I should probably note that pony rides always help a lecture. Much of the art world hasn't caught onto that yet."

Aside from a brief mention that they'd discuss recent pieces like The Statue of Four Lies, Lie in State and Forever Yours — a project in which the artists attempt to sell their ashes for a million dollars — the Art Guys largely kept their full plans for Dallas a secret.

Enlightened Reflections in Broad Daylight is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Nasher Sculpture Center in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. The event is free with museum admission. Complimentary wine will be served.

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"Here come the grannies!"

Walk through the Magic Door to experience the world of Bluey in Houston

bluey and bingo's bedroom at camp in houston

Courtesy of CAMP

Houston will soon be the home of a new CAMP store, featuring interactive installations like the house from "Bluey."

Bluey is coming to the Galleria this February “for real life” through an immersive event that invites visitors to enter the world of the famous Australian Heeler family. This one-of-a-kind experience brings the Heeler home and backyard to life with intricate details that will delight fans of all ages.

Tickets are on sale now for Bluey x CAMP, the inaugural interactive experience of the combination toy store, party venue, and immersive theater space. This is The Family Experience Company’s first CAMP location in Houston, with the business securing a 7,500-square-foot permanent retail space in the Galleria.

Through “The Magic Door,” a pivoting wall, visitors step into seasonally rotating interactive spaces beginning with a 5,000-square-foot lifesize replica of Bluey’s house.

Visitors can play games made popular by the show, such as grannies and keepy uppy, and bust a move when “dance mode” is activated. The kitchen’s fridge is covered in drawings by the Heeler puppies, while the living room TV plays Bluey.

Families can explore both a pillow fort and a cardboard castle — two-story structures complete with slides — before venturing into a playroom stocked with toys and costumes from the show. In the backyard, a recreation of the Heeler’s large tree is surrounded by charming gnomes. A photo opportunity with Bluey and Bingo tops off the visit.

Beyond the world of Bluey, CAMP offers even more for visitors in its Canteen space, with a splatter room, The Schmutz Bar (a slime creation station), a party room, and a playable truck. Customers can also shop for toys, clothing, and accessories.

Houston joins a list of CAMP’s locations in Dallas, Atlanta, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Installations change seasonally, with other current features including Paw Patrol, The Little Mermaid, and Encanto.

Courtesy of CAMP

Houston will soon be the home of a new CAMP store, featuring interactive installations like the house from "Bluey."

bluey galleria-houston camp bluey x camp