For the holiday season, Buffalo Bayou Art Park will provide an alternative to the sparkly lights and Christmas carols blaring in our public spaces. The seventh annual BBAP Xmas Tree Project features local artists re-creations of the ubiquitous Christmas tree. This years offerings include a spinning pole that Troy Stanley adorned with fake Chinese currency. When the pole spins, the bills flair out to make it look like a tree. Mat Wolffs piece plays on a childs fear of waking up Christmas morning to find a stocking filled with coal. Wolff insists that coal is useful, messy and fun, and kiddos will get a free lump of the stuff so they can draw on his whitewashed, tree-shaped slate. Other pieces planned for the exhibit include Tommy Gregorys uprooted tree placed upside down and Patrick Renners huge jack made of six big trees inserted into the ends of a pipe. Other participating artists include Daniel Adame, Felipe Contreras, Michelle OMichael and Arts Collective Houston Seven. Check out the public arts project through January 4. Fish Plaza, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas. For more information, call 713-502-9454 or visit www.bbap-houston.com. Free.
Dec. 1-Jan. 4, 2007