e-culture: Talking Recycled Art in Time for Art Car Weekend
May 10, 2005


IN THIS ISSUE

Meet the Lasters
Art Car Weekend
Anything that Floats


Art Car week is here and we are getting started a little early with a talk about recycled art on Wednesday night at The Artery.

Come, meet the Lasters...

Grace Kelly and Charles Laster, from Crofton, Kentucky, will be joined by Houston artist Che Rickman in a presentation and discussion of recycled art.

We are featuring these art car artists' other art in honor of Houston's most eclectic and original art display - the Art Car Parade.

The Lasters will travel to Houston in their divine art car, the Rockin' Holly Roller, which features Johnny Cash, James Brown, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, Elvis Presley, Al Green and more, with "Jesus in the front and the devil in the rear."

They tell us, "We are drivin' the newest LasterBlaster artcar... the old tranny on the voyager played out, had to get Rock-it ship (LasterBlaster's Holy Rollin' Rock-it's magical musical history tour) same great theme, only even more convoluted...manic adult attention deficit/obsessive/compulsive space-age hillbillies spread the gospel of love and soulfood throughout the galaxy with a hand painted musical Rock-it ship/haywagon featuring Miss Ruby Elvis Rose,world's smallest female Elvis...."

Veterans of visionary American folk art events, like the Orange Show's Art Car Parade, the Lasters have participated in legendary festivals like Kentuck in Tuscaloosa Alabama, and offered Recycled Art Workshops for kids and adults at many stops along the way. They recently joined the board of folk artist Reverend Howard Finster's Paradise Gardens in Summerville, Georgia. Finster was one of their heroes and offered them guidance through their struggles, even as the reverend himself was struggling.

The Lasters make art about things that inspire them: "If we are inspired by a musician or other artist, we make art about that."

View selected works by Grace Kelly and Charles Laster:
http://www.houstonculture.org/folk/lasters.html
http://www.houstonculture.org/folk/lasters1.html
http://www.houstonculture.org/folk/lasters2.html
http://www.houstonculture.org/folk/lasters3.html

The Lasters 3 - Their baby not yet one year old, and almost a veteran of two art car parades, has already stood on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and traveled over much of the southeastern United States.

The Lasters will have plenty to talk about (with images to show), along with Che Rickman, who creates art with the ancient spiritual roots of Mandalas from shredded consumer refuse. Che just received her MFA from the University of Houston, so the event is somewhat of a celebration for her.

View Mandalas by Che Rickman:
http://www.houstonculture.org/artist/che/mandala1.html
http://www.houstonculture.org/artist/che/mandala2.html

This public art forum is presented through the generosity of The Artery, with the Houston Institute for Culture and KTRU, Rice University Radio.

Wednesday, May 11, 8:00pm
Donations accepted for the artists
The Artery
5401 Jackson at Prospect
http://www.arteryhouston.org

The Artery is an exceptional outdoor venue in the residential section two blocks northeast of the Children's Museum. In the event of rain, call 713-521-3686.

Learn more about The Lasters:
http://www.lastersartshack.com

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Official Art Car Weekend Events

Main Street Drag
Friday, May 13, 9:00am - 2:00pm

The Drag begins at the Children's Museum, 1500 Binz, and ends at Treebeard's, 315 Travis in Market Square. More than 150 art cars will visit more than 20,000 people who otherwise may not be able to experience the parade, as art car participants stop at children's hospitals, schools and community centers.

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Main Squeeze: Art Car Weekend Main Event
Friday, May 13, 6:00pm - 11:00pm in Downtown Houston
Main Street and Old Market Square

Main Squeeze offers a party-like atmosphere in downtown Houston where attendees can participate for free in the Lucky Booty Crawl Scavenger Hunt, see fire-breathing Art Cars, watch the Battle of the One Man Bands and get an up-close-and-personal sneak-peak at the Greatest Show on Wheels!

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Anything that Floats
Saturday, May 14, 3:00pm
Sesquicentennial Park, off of Allen Parkway
Join us for the After Party following the Art Car Parade!

Buffalo Bayou becomes an exhibition space for unique sculpture and artistry displayed in Houston's only water parade.
http://www.buffalobayou.org/anythingfloats.html

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Everyones Art Car Parade
Saturday, May 14, 1:00pm
Allen Parkway

Cars line up at mid morning on Allen Parkway, just outside of downtown, as Houston's most original big event parades through downtown at 1:00pm.

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Orange Show Brunch and Everyones Art Car Awards Ceremony
Sunday, May 15, 11:00am - 3:00pm
2402 Munger St.
Houston, Texas 77023
(Off of I-45 South, just past University of Houston)

Awards will be given in a dozen categories at an Orange Show block party, with many art cars on site for closer viewing.

For more information, visit: http://www.orangeshow.org



Thank you for supporting great educational and cultural activities.

____________________________________________________
M  a  r  k @houstonculture.org


Traditions of Mexico:
http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico

Latino Music Initiative:
http://www.houstonculture.org/musica

Texas-Mexico Border Issues:
http://www.houstonculture.org/border