As new construction floods the East End, dozens of buildings are being torn down ย— buildings that photographer Michael Monreal says are ย“filled with memories.ย” Monreal, a longtime Second Ward resident who only just moved out of the area, recently spent two months documenting area buildings that are on the brink of destruction. The resulting exhibit is ย“Change: For Better or Worse.ย”

ย“Itย’s been changing all through the years that Iย’ve been here, but itย’s really been changing rapidly this year. The architecture is amazing. How can they tear down something so beautiful?ย” Monreal claims he has no quarrel with progress, but wonders if sweeping away our architectural past really is necessary. ย“I want people to question themselves about whatย’s good for the community. I will let you decide what you feel is for better or worse.ย” Regular viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Through April 19. Talento Bilingรผe de Houston, 333 South Jensen. A reception with Michael Monreal is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 27. For information, call 713-222-1213 or visit
www.tbhcenter.org. Free.

Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Starts: March 7. Continues through April 19, 2008

This article appears in Mar 6-12, 2008.