Books and Bytes is a series of talks by local authors who discuss the research, writing, and publication of their art, architecture, or design book. Our community of scholars is invited to participate in discussions afterward, so they may learn from one another’s experiences. Books and Bytes is co-sponsored by the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design and the University of Houston Libraries.
This conversation will take place on Wednesday, April 17th, at 6 pm in the Architecture, Art, and Design Library on the first floor of the College of Architecture Building.
Making a Scene! is the story of how visionary individuals created an international art world around photography. A classic Texas tale of seemingly quixotic ideas, audacious goals, oil booms and busts, generous philanthropists, southern sensibilities, grandiosity, and resolve, this book documents the social history of ‘who did what and when’ to create an international photography scene in such an unlikely place as Houston.
Tracy Xavia Karner is a visual sociologist who writes about photography in fine art venues and everyday life. She is the chair of the Sociology Department at the University of Houston where she teaches courses in Visual Sociology, Sociology of Art, and Visual Culture.
Four books on the works of Diego Rivera from the Kenneth Franzheim II Rare Books Room are now on display in the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library. The bound books and portfolios are liberally illustrated with reproductions of frescoes, watercolors, portraiture, as well as other genre and media. All were published in Mexico between 1934 and 1967. Rivera was arguably the most important figure in the Mexican mural movement. His style featured “a new iconography based on socialist ideas and exalted the indigenous and popular heritage in Mexican culture.” (O’Connor, F. (2003). Rivera (y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez), Diego. Grove Art Online.)
The works on view are:
12 reproductions in color of Mexican frescoes by Diego Rivera
Acuarelas, 1935-1945: Colección Frida Kahlo
El genial muralista mundialmente discutido maestro: Diego Rivera
Pop-Up Art Library + First Friday Art Tours
Come find us during First Friday Art Tours at Blaffer Art Museum. We’ll have a selection of books thematically related to the museum’s current exhibition available for check out. Lunch will be provided after the tour.
Date : Friday, April 5, 2024
Time: 12– 2 pm
Location: Blaffer Art Museum
About
Pop-Up’s
Since 2018, the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library has been partnering with Blaffer Art Museum to host Pop-Up Libraries each semester. It’s a fun and engaging way to promote services that provide instant connection to the UH community. Each pop-up consists of curated art books thematically related to the museum’s current exhibitions.
This event is free and open to all students
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The Architecture, Design, and Art Library proudly presents the work of featured artist ‘23-24 Madeline Mariano. Their exhibit, In Search of Home: Embracing Your Unique Identity will be on view until May 2024.
Statement
My art dives into culture and personal interests, using digital art, acrylic, and silkscreen to show its details. Fueled by a need to express myself, I embrace being real and honoring my roots. Each piece is a story, with symbols that add meaning. By arranging things thoughtfully, I lead you on a visual journey that goes beyond the surface. Blending digital finesse and traditional brushwork, I capture both visuals and the emotional depth of cultural experiences. Essentially, my art pays tribute to the threads that connect humanity, inviting dialogue, introspection, and celebration of our shared identity.
Bio
Born in the Philippines and now rooted in lively Houston, Texas, Madeline Mariano guides their creativity with a BA in Arts. Their canvas holds digital art enhanced with mixed media, showcasing their fluid versatility. Delving into universal themes—relationships, culture, identity—Madeline draws inspiration from modernism, contemporary art, and personal experiences. Beyond creation, their process interweaves art with memory, storytelling, dialogue, and introspection. Through screens and canvases, they create emotions and narratives, embodying the roles of memory curators and the complexity of life.
Pop-Up Art Library + First Friday Art Tours
Come find us during First Friday Art Tours at Blaffer Art Museum. We’ll have a selection of books thematically related to the museum’s current exhibition available for check out. Lunch will be provided after the tour.
Date : Friday, March 1, 2024
Time: 12– 2 pm
Location: Blaffer Art Museum
About
Pop-Up’s
Since 2018, the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library has been partnering with Blaffer Art Museum to host Pop-Up Libraries each semester. It’s a fun and engaging way to promote services that provide instant connection to the UH community. Each pop-up consists of curated art books thematically related to the museum’s current exhibitions.
This event is free and open to all students
♥Follow Us♥
Pop-Up Art Library + First Friday Art Tours
Come find us during First Friday Art Tours at Blaffer Art Museum. We’ll have a selection of books thematically related to the museum’s current exhibition available for check out. Lunch will be provided after the tour.
Date : Friday, February 2, 2024
Time: 12– 2 pm
Location: Blaffer Art Museum
About
Pop-Up’s
Since 2018, the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library has been partnering with Blaffer Art Museum to host Pop-Up Libraries each semester. It’s a fun and engaging way to promote services that provide instant connection to the UH community. Each pop-up consists of curated art books thematically related to the museum’s current exhibitions.
This event is free and open to all students
♥Follow Us♥
About Event
Show your love to the library by participating in our annual Blind Date with a Book display located at the Architecture, Design, and Art Library starting Feb 1 – 13. Those that “rate their dates” will enter our prize drawing , winners will be announced on Feb 14th.
Rules
♥ First you check-out a “blind date” book without unwrapping it (no cheating).
♥ Read it!
♥ Easy rating forms included, so “rate your date” even if you didn’t finish it.
♥ Return the form to the library to enter our prize drawing.
♥ The more “dates” you rate, the higher chances of winning, so be sure to come back for more “blind dates.”
♥ Winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day.
Dates: February 1 – 13
Location: Architecture, Design, and Art Library
Time: During Library Hours
This event is free and open to the UH community
For questions, contact us at archlib@uh.edu
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The Architecture, Design, and Art Library proudly presents the work of featured artist ‘23-24 Gerald Sastra. His exhibit,#100iconicwomen, will be on view until March 2024.
Statement
In my artistic journey as a student, I explore the fusion of graphic design and painting, seamlessly weaving these distinct disciplines into a harmonious visual narrative. As a designer, I am drawn to the dynamic possibilities that arise when traditional brushstrokes meet the precision of digital elements. My process begins with a contemplation of the subject, where I strive to grasp its essence and underlying emotions. Once the digital groundwork is laid, I embrace the visceral experience of painting, letting the tactile interaction with traditional media infuse the artwork with an organic and authentic touch. This interplay between the calculated precision of design and the spontaneous flow of paint conceives a unique visual symphony that transcends boundaries, captivating viewers with its innovative language and timeless allure. Through this fusion, I aim to challenge perceptions, ignite curiosity, and inspire a new appreciation for the endless possibilities that lie at the intersection of graphic design and painting.
Bio
Originally from Indonesia, Gerald Sastra is currently pursuing a Graphic Design B.F.A. degree at the University of Houston. He strives to explore each of the design disciplines such as, but not limited to UX/UI, motion, and print. His interests, however, lie in illustration graphics, brand identity, and environmental graphics. He seeks to create meaningful design by being inspired with the content of each design and how it affects us emotionally. While design is his main pursuit, he also enjoys painting and nurtured this innate connection into an artistic journey that continues to evolve.
