Alec Soth at the Blanton Museum of Art Auditorium, June 4

Alec Soth is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a recipient of several major fellowships, and was awarded the 2003 Santa Fe Prize for Photography. His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Soth's photographs have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions. His first monograph, Sleeping by the Mississippi, was published in 2004 to critical acclaim. He is a member of Magnum Photos. Alec Soth's web site.

Austin Center for Photography

Max Juren, interview.

Pantsuit Jill (PJ) Chavez and BlayneBlayne are back to bring you the "art beats from the streets!" This time they stopped by the home of video performance artist, Max Juren.



Max makes objects and environments in the form of video, installation, and attempted pop phenomenon product sculptures. He believes in the power of novelty, the gimmick, the absurd, and snacks. His work is concerned with transforming impulse into coherence, and the obvious into entertainment. He lives and works in Austin.



For more information, and to purchase Max's recent DVD compilation, please visit: http://monofonuspress.com/artists/max-juren



For more information on Max's screening event at Domy Books (Houston) on May 30th at 7pm, please visit: http://www.domystore.com/houston/htx_invites/maxjuren_htx.html

HOUSTON -- Max Juren - Performance and Screening -- May 30

HOUSTON -- Max Juren - Performance and Screening -- May 30, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

SATURDAY NIGHT IN HOUSTON! Here are some photos from Max's performance in Austin.

Twelve years ago, this was my favorite band.

May 29, 2007 — Pavement, Royal Trux, Bis at Numbers Nightclub. Houston, TX

New Seth Book!

George Sprott by Seth
It's great.

Seth is a talented, considerate storyteller. He doesn't rush things, but rather writes engrossing narratives that unfold into complex and satisfying character studies. Oh yeah, and the drawings are beautiful too. We have this book in Austin, and more copies are on their way to the Houston store this weekend.

Exchange Rate: 2008, Brilliant!

Check out the pics from the most recent performance event at Domy Austin on our flickr.

Christeene did some browsing before her show.


Writer/musician Gretchen Phillips and our host for this event Claire Ruud


We love transforming the gallery into a space where anything can happen, even if only for the time span of an mp3 track.

Oh. Really? No... really?

Thanks Ignored Prayers

Approximately a year ago...

Domy II - Austin, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

HOUSTON -- Mark Todd - Oh Man. -- June 13

HOUSTON -- Mark Todd - Oh Man. -- June 13, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

HOUSTON -- Mark Todd - Oh, Man. -- June 13

Domy Books is pleased to present

Oh, Man.
new paintings and works on paper
by Mark Todd

Saturday, June 13, 2009 at Domy Books, Houston
1709 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098
7-9pm, FREE ADMISSION

Exhibition runs June 13–July 23

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Painter, illustrator and author Mark Todd took his first creative cues from comic books and Star Wars: worlds of inventive fantasy that still inform his art. His latest work involves intense scrutiny and alteration of classic comic covers from “Fantastic Four,” “X-Men,” “Iron Man,” “Spiderman” and other series, including the work of legendary illustrators like Jack Kirby.

“I love the type, the heavy shadows, the colors and the way they seemed to use very inch of the page,” says Todd. “I sit and study them, and my brush reconstructs them.” Todd is referencing the past, waxing nostalgic about it and simultaneously lending his own post-modern sensibility to it, employing a limited palette, repetition, distortion and mixed media materials including spray paint, cel-vinyl, glossy varnishes and dusty stains. The pieces are often rounded at the edges, appearing as prized objects; tablets encoded with civilization’s most iconic collective wisdom.

LINKS
http://www.marktoddillustration.com/home.htm
http://funchicken.com/

HOUSTON -- Max Juren - Performance and Screening -- May 30

HOUSTON -- Max Juren - Performance and Screening -- May 30, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

HOUSTON -- Max Juren, Performance and Video Screening -- May 30

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Domy Books, in association with Monofonus Press, is pleased to present

Max Juren
a performance and video screening

Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Domy Books, Houston
1709 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098
7pm, FREE ADMISSION

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Video artist Max Juren has long been an Austin YouTube favorite — from his deadpan commercial for Heinz ketchup to his joyous re-enactment of Atreyu’s epic ride on Falcor, Juren always manages to twist the classics into his own warped forms of hilarity. With Max Juren’s DVD Release Event at Domy Books, Monofonus is pleased to present a compendium of Juren’s Work for your viewing pleasure. This one-night-only event will feature a screening of selected shorts from the DVD, as well as a back room installation that offers a peek inside this madman’s brain. Don’t miss this chance to mingle with genius!

Max Juren makes objects and environments in the form of video, installation, and attempted pop phenomenon product sculptures. He believes in the power of novelty, the gimmick, the absurd, and snacks. His work is concerned with transforming impulse into coherence, and the obvious into entertainment. He lives and works in Austin.

LINKS
http://monofonuspress.com/artists/max-juren
http://www.youtube.com/user/jaxneuron

HOUSTON -- Brantly Martin - Pillage -- June 9

HOUSTON -- Brantly Martin - Pillage -- June 9, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

Domy Books, in association with Powerhouse Books, is pleased to present

Brantly Martin
reading from his new book, Pillage

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Domy Books, Houston
1709 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098
6-8pm, FREE ADMISSION

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"In the United States of Amoeba, Amoebans have always been ready to judge who is an Amoeban and who isn’t. First generation have always been looked at as outsiders, immigrants, scum. Islanders, being the brains of Amoeba, take this even further. To them I will always be an immigrant. Not just an immigrant, a Mexican. Spic. Wetback. If the Natives had their way the GW, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn would be drawbridges. The Lincoln and Midtown blown up. They are forced to accept the notion of coexistence, but are always quick on the trigger of subtle reminding. I grew up here son or back in the day. Yeah, and forever shall you stay here. Son. Your island, your prison. Without your tired-ass references, what the hell have you got? Alcatraz east. And when a Native dares leave the Island don’t think they go five goddamn minutes without letting all comers know their derivation. If it isn’t back in the day it’s some uptown Native dropping private school names. To them I am forever a Mexican. Fucking bring it.” —Brantly Martin, Pillage

From Powerhouse:
The love child of Charles Bukowski and Bret Easton Ellis, Brantly Martin provides a brutal yet hilarious look at the lives of Manhattan’s downtown elite at the dawn of the new millennium in Pillage, his first novel.

Detailing the decadent descent of Cracula and his crew, Martin lures us into the shadowy ambiguities of addiction—a world where desire meets destruction and the perversity of this pathos is often laughable. Be it urban wildebeest Aeronymous, the wigga with a taste for BAPE sweaters and iced coffees; the Fireman, the overgrown adolescent who knows the quickest way to your ex-girlfriend’s bed; or the Reverend, who rejected the sins of his brothers to save the Africans from themselves, the entitled creatures of this novel plunder what remains of a once-vibrant culture and reap the spoils of our languorous generation.

Between eight balls of cocaine and pints of Patrón, Cracula fluctuates between reality and fantasy, hyper-aware of the façades, formulas, and falsehoods that encircle his existence, but unable to gain an advantage. Pillage reveals the inherent hypocrisy of America’s social and economic achievements, as they are made manifest in the city that never sleeps, slyly implying that triumph is a trap in itself—and the only way out? Just ask Kurt Cobain…

"Brantly brings new meaning to clubland’s term, ‘happy house.’ Pillage is a wonderfully written, hilarious tragedy set in the playgrounds of the avant garde, sure to break if not bend some well known noses. I laughed and cried from cover to cover."
—Mark Baker, the Godfather of New York nightlife

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Brantly Martin has been working in New York City nightlife for the past eight years, hosting weekly parties at various downtown Manhattan venues. He was born in Houston and now lives in Rome.

AUSTIN -- Esther Pearl Watson - TEXAS INSTRUMENTS -- June 12

AUSTIN -- Esther Pearl Watson - TEXAS INSTRUMENTS -- June 12, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

Domy Books is pleased to present

TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
new paintings
by esther pearl watson

Friday, June 12, 2009 at Domy Books, Austin
913 E Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702
7-9pm, FREE ADMISSION

Exhibition runs June 12–July 23

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Esther Pearl Watson grew up in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Her family moved often, since her father's hobby of building huge flying saucers out of scrap metal and car engines didn't always sit well with the neighbors.

Esther's pieces are often overtly narrative, clear but mysterious scenes of houses or figures ornamented with snippets of prose telling just enough to get the viewer's imagination engaged, wanting to know more. Some are about family, some about places, all have a rich interior life. Her works without words are just as suggestive of story, also exerting a deep emotional pull.

LINKS
http://www.estherwatson.com/
http://funchicken.com/

This tie tack is great.

IMG_1691, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

ATX -- Exchange Rate 2008 -- May 15

ATX -- Exchange Rate 2008 -- May 15, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

Domy Books, in association with Elana Mann, is pleased to present

Exchange Rate: 2008

In conjunction with the Austin launch of Exchange Rate: 2008, Claire Ruud will give a brief talk based on “A Grocery List of Liberal Public Feelings,” her essay for the catalogue on performance art and the 2008 presidential election. Embodying parts of that grocery list, performances by Christeene and Gretchen Phillips will bookend the evening.

Friday, May 15, 2009 at Domy Books, Austin
913 E Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702
630pm, FREE ADMISSION

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This book documents an international performance exchange organized by artist Elana Mann in response to the 2008 U.S. presidential election. In all, thirty-eight artists living in sixteen different countries participated in the project. With the aid of the project website www.exchangerate2008.com, participating artists produced, exchanged, and interpreted performance directions related to the election campaign.

The publication features projects by: Adam Overton, Aiste Ptakauske, Ana Fernandez, Bruce Conkle, CamLab, Chan&Mann, Danielle Adair, Dorit Cypis, Elana Mann, Emery Martin, Eric Lindley, Ernesto Salmeron, Eva Jung, Jason Kunke, Jean Pierre Lapeyre, Julie Lequin, Karen Atkinson, Kevin Jamieson, Liz Glynn, Lora Ivanova, Luchezar Boyadjiev, Maile Colbert, Rui Costa, Marssares, Melissa Wyman, Michael Lazar, Marc Lewis, Pablo Rasgado, Kelly Kleinschrodt, R.E.P., Sara Roberts, Sibyl O’Malley, Søren Thilo Funder, Stine Marie Jacobsen, Vincent Ramos, and Zackary Drucker

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Claire Ruud received her M.A. in art history from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. Since 2007, she has served as the editor of ...might be good, a biweekly contemporary arts e-journal. At ...might be good, Ruud has overseen the redesign of the journal's website and instituted a staff writer program. She writes a biweekly letter from the editor as well as regular reviews and interviews for the magazine. Ruud also serves as Associate Coordinator of testsite, an experimental exhibition space and ...might be good's sister project.

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Gretchen Phillips has been a source of inspiration to indie pop sensations such as Le Tigre, The Butchies and Pansy Division and was a key player in the flourishing Austin punk scene during the 1980s. Most recently, she released the new album I Was Just Comforting Her, an artful fusion of femme folk, punk rock and disco, and premiered her solo performance piece Manlove in a sold-out run at Vortex Theater.

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Paul Soileau is a performer hailing from the spicy state of Louisiana and carrying with him excessive baggage from the culture bowl of New Orleans, the island of Manhattan, and a few other nuggets along the way. Known mostly for his terroristic female personas... Ms. Rebecca Havemeyer and CHRISTEENE... Paul has established himself within the film and theater community of Austin, tooting his bragging rights working with the wonderful Rubber Repertory Group in 'The Casket of Passing Fancy,' the famed Rude Mechanicals in their production of 'I've Never Been So Happy,' and most recently starring in a new film by local director Kyle Henry. He is currently collaborating with local cinematographer PJ Raval on a number of shorts under the media group Three Dollar Cinema.

Happy 20 Years, King-Cat!

We have many of John's wonderful books and mini comics.

Click on the cat and celebrate:

(foxy) John Porcellino at age 21

a page from King-Cat 52

AJW t-shirt with Juxtapoz

Our friend Andrew Jeffery Wright has a new t-shirt with Juxtapoz.

He also has a new interview:

A place to play from one of the creators of J&L Books

Click around... Jason Fulford.

HOUSTON -- Casual Encounters, May 9

HOUSTON -- Casual Encounters, May 9, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

Domy Books, in association with Give Up, is pleased to present,

Casual Encounters
with
Dirty Jeff, Derek Albeck, French,
Give Up, Patrick Griffin and Will Boone

Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Domy Books, Houston
1709 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098
7-9 pm, FREE ADMISSION

Exhibition runs May 9–June 6, 2009

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to be honest i am not here to find “true love”. i want to try all kinds of pleasure. i’m intent on chasing that fleeting state of loving everything for a few precious moments. i am very laid back, open minded, and honest. think we’ll work? let’s find out.
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cum on is serious, and i’ll make iot happen! my electric is due, u can make that happen :) serious emails only, & won’t waste half the night doing them... sexy, seductive and good at what i do.
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right now i’m in the process of trying to put my “adult” life together. 7 years ago i had a traumatic brain injury, and i am now finally moving to college and trying to figure out how i’m going to support myself and what i want to do with my life. i hope to someday be a full time artist, but i know i need a financially-sound backup plan, 101.
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i really need acar no money willing dpo whatever it takes .... serious inquires only ......
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*all misspellings in the CE ads are the same as the original listings.
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Derek Albeck
http://www.derekalbeck.com
Los Angeles based painter who’s work has been featured in the Vans Sky Gallery, Juxtapoz, as well as in galleries nationally and abroad. Once best known for his ‘glums’ paintings, Derek's work has now evolved into geometric themed, stylized portraits of the better things like friends, life, death and good times.

William W. Boone
http://www.willboone.com
Philadelphia by way of Houston. Will’s ink drawings and photo collages have graced the covers of numerous young punk records and t-shirts and hung on the walls of galleries in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles and in-between. Celebrating and beautifying the best and worst of youth culture and societies outcasts.

Patrick Griffin
patrickgriffins@gmail.com
Patrick’s photographs capture real world images of the overlooked and never-meant-to-be-seen in a way that is both casual and complex. While maintaining a striking beauty regardless of subject. A once regular contributor to Hamburger Eyes, his work has been featured in Mass Appeal, Fecal Face, etc. And his now (in)famous Frenemies zines. Having staked claims in most major US cities, Patrick now resides in New York.

French
http://funeralfrench.blogspot.com
Meticulous and (often) gore filled, Uk based artist French's metal tinged illustrations have become a staple in the skateboard world. Having been used by Vans, Zero and Real Skateboards to name a few. As well as in magazines and galleries the world over. Death metal and skateboarding. What’s more?

Dirty Jeff
smithjeff82@yahoo.com
Houston native, serial party-er. Versed and prolific in collage, photography, painting disciplines, vintage BMX, and so on. Jeff’s works have ruined, beautified, and otherwise invigorated zines, galleries, fliers, trains, and productions across Texas and beyond. Instant gratification coupled with lasting intent.

Give Up
http://ingivingup.blogspot.com
Texas bred "street artist" turned gallery regular. Recently acclaimed/vilified for public billboard installations, the artist has shown his dark and apathetic, yet admittedly hopeful, photo-based poster prints in galleries in Houston, Los Angeles, Austin and New York. As well as on walls and streets the same and in between.

New Stuff For Your Eyes and Hands

Domy Austin invites you to come over and browse through our new goods.
A sampling:

Click here for more.

HTX -- Chip Kidd -- May 7

HTX -- Chip Kidd -- May 7, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

Domy Books, in association with AIGA Houston, is pleased to present,

Chip Kidd
“B____, I D___ K___ L___!”

Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Domy Books, Houston
1709 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098
6:30pm - social & book signing
7:30pm - presentation

TO REGISTER, GO TO: www.aigahouston.org/kidd

HTX -- Bernard Brunon -- May 8

HTX -- Bernard Brunon -- May 8, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

Domy Books, in association with The Art Guys, is pleased to present,

Bernard Brunon
book signing & presentation

Friday, May 8, 2009 at Domy Books, Houston
1709 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77098
4–7pm Signing, 7pm Presentation
FREE ADMISSION

“With less to look at, there’s more to think about” is the motto Bernard Brunon gave his company, That’s Painting Productions, some twenty years ago when his activity as an artist turned to house painting.

This first monograph on his work describes the process and explains the motivations behind this trajectory in two interviews done fourteen years apart - with Michael Kosch in 1993 and Pascal Beausse in 2007 - and an essay by Pascal Beausse: “Bernard Brunon, Painter and Manager”. The book shows how his work evolved from the late 1970s, when his painting followed the “Support/Surface” movement and was part of the anti-illusion current based upon a rejection of representation, in the late 1980s into house painting.

Houston Indie Book Festival 2009 -- May 10

Houston Indie Book Festival 2009 -- May 10, originally uploaded by Domy Books.

NANO Fiction, Gulf Coast Journal, and Domy Books host
THE SECOND ANNUAL HOUSTON INDIE BOOK FESTIVAL

Sunday, May 10, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at DOMY Books: 1709 Westheimer, Houston TX.


Show Mom how smart and cultured you’ve become this Mother’s Day—Sunday, May 10, 2009—by taking her to the second annual Houston Indie Book Festival. This year’s fest will be held at Domy Books, at 1709 Westheimer Road (near Dunlavy) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is completely free. The event features Houston- and Austin-area independent publishers, magazines, and booksellers, all selling their wares at deeply discounted prices.

Chicago and New York may be known for their literary and publishing communities, but the Houston Indie Book Festival is here to give them a run for their money, showcasing some of the best presses, magazines, and booksellers Texas has to offer. This year’s Indie Book Fest will feature tables hosted by booksellers Brazos Bookstore, Kaboom Books, Murder by the Book, Blue Willow Books, and Heights Books-Libros; magazines Gulf Coast Journal, NANO Fiction, Pebble Lake Review, Art Lies, Glass Mountain, R2, and Literal; independent publishers Effing Press, Arte Público Press, Blue Cubicle Press, Bright Sky Press, and Projective Industries Press; literary organizations Inprint, the Houston Public Library, and the Creative Writers’ Collective; and many, many more! For a complete list of this year’s participants, including performers, stay tuned to www.gulfcoastmag.org.

Gift certificates and other items—including signed copies of Dave Eggers’s What Is the What and Nick Hornby’s Slam will be raffled off throughout the day. Houston’s best and brightest writers will read from their work on the hour every hour. Take a much-needed break and see what Houston’s bibliophiles have to offer! You just might walk away with that Mother’s Day gift you forgot to buy.

ATX -- Exchange Rate 2008 -- May 15

ATX -- Exchange Rate 2008 -- May 15, originally uploaded by Domy Books.