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Bring the Cheetos

A A A Comments By Troy Schulze Thursday, May 11 2006

Houston-based graphic artist David Chien uses mixed media to create lighthearted, nonthreatening pop art. His murals, made by layering colored vinyl, usually depict male figures — loosely modeled after Chien — in various scenes of being caught off-guard. For example, "gustywindsmayexist," Chien's 2002 installation at Rice Art Gallery, portrayed five black-haired men in suits being blown off their feet by a sudden rush of air.

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The appearance of a dog motif is appropriate for an artist named Chien. Much of the artist's recent work is canine-oriented, such as 2005's Killer Robot Dog Factory, an athletic shoe decorated with vinyl, fire-breathing dogs reminiscent of David Lynch's comic strip The Angriest Dog in the World. The artist usually signs his name (with exclamation point) in what might be a declamatory flourish: "This is a picture of a dog!" Chien's excellent Web site, nakedgremlin.com, offers a wealth of images, sketches, photos and graphic art.

Today, the Art League of Houston opens "Popunation," an exhibition of Chien's new work, which includes sculpture, "electronic widgets" and, according to the exhibition Web site, "a projection based arcade machine ready for your greasy CheetosTM encrusted fingers to play with." Chien will give an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.; a reception follows from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fri., May 12, 6:30-9 p.m.; May 13-June 23

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