Kick off 2011 comfortably with three centrally-located Montrose shows this week.
Perspectives 173: Clifford Owens Works by New York-based photographer and performance artist Clifford Owens encourage audience participation. Often incorporating the camera in his performance works as a documentation of the event, Owens turns the document into photographic artwork born out of the action. There will be a performance at 6:30 p.m. tonight (intended for mature audiences). According to the CAMH, come hungry. H-town StrEATs food truck will be serving a menu ranging from corned beef Reuben grilled cheese to pork belly bun (momofuku) and roasted garlic pretzel bites (prices range from $3-$6; cash only please). Opens tonight, January 6, 6:30-9 pm, Contemporary Arts Museum, 5216 Montrose. 713-284-8250
Plenitude Barbara Davis Gallery kicks off 2011 with a group exhibition of works by Donald Lipski, Robert Longo, Daniel McFarlane, Julie Mehretu, Julie Ann Nagle, Mie Olise, Gavin Perry, and Yehudit Sasportas. "Plentitude" also marks the Houston debut for Los Angeles-based artists Joe Davidson, Gustavo Godoy, Annie Lapin, Todd Williamson, and Jason Yates. Opens Friday, January 7, 6:30-8:30 pm, Barbara Davis Gallery, 4411 Montrose. 713-520-9200
Cordy Ryman, Diana Al-Hadid and Andrew Moore: Nowness A group exhibition curated by Lea Weingarten and PEEL, featuring artists Diana Al-Hadid, Andrew Moore, and Cordy Ryman. Ryman's assemblages received praise in the New York Times for his recent show at DCKT in NYC, which critic Roberta Smith called one of the "sleepers of the season." Opens Friday January 7, 6:30-9pm, Peel Gallery Shop, 4411 Montrose. 713-520-8122