Up to Speed

If you're just too damned lazy to get off your rump and actually stroll through an art gallery, you're in luck, slacker. Today, Real Films offers up two documentaries on fine art. Julie Speed: Queen of Her Room examines one of the nation's most innovative artists and her work, which ponders religion (her painting Dogmatists depicts arm-wrestling clergymen), sexuality, sin and guilt with a sly, sometimes black, sense of humor. The next film takes you to Karen Bernstein's Marfa, Texasand follows the opening of Ballroom Marfa's art show "Optimo: Manifestations of Optimism in Counterparty Art" and examines Marfa's role as a mecca for artists. Reception with Speed and Bernstein from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; screening at 7:30 p.m., followed by Q&A. Rice Cinema, Rice University campus, entrance No. 8 (off University Boulevard). For tickets, call 713-666-2504 or visit www.realfilms.org. $10.
Thu., Jan. 19