Living Room Art: "Brown in the Third Ward"

Voices Breaking Boundaries wants to slip into something a little more comfortable. For Living Room Art: "Brown in the Third Ward," the local art collective is inviting patrons to the home of showcasing artist Ivette Roman.

"The whole idea is to change the way people experience art," says Sehba Sarwar, another featured artist. "To walk into a home - it's a different relationship as opposed to going to a formal gallery, to a formal opening." The Living Room series was inspired by VBB artist Oskar Sonnen, who began hosting events in homes two years ago.

This installment explores racial identity in the historic Third Ward. In her video installation Shades of Brown from My Inner Lip, co-curator/featured artist Elia Arce explores her interracial relationship. The piece features separate, side-by-side wall projections of Arce, a Costa Rican, and her African-American boyfriend facing each other. Sarwar also created a video work. Her untitled piece includes shots of children playing in water as well as video and sound clips from a 90_minute conversation between her and the other exhibiting artists about how their diverse backgrounds affect the way they see the neighborhood. And Roman will give dramatic and musical performances inspired by her experience living in the Third Ward.

The night will also feature works by co-curator Robert Pruitt, Jade Cooper and Robyn Anglin. Attendees are welcome to air their thoughts during the open mike and community-building sessions, which start at 8 p.m. 3117 Cleburne. For information, call 713-524-7821 or visit www.vbbarts.org. Free.
Sat., Sept. 27, 8 p.m., 2008