Dance of Darkness (Director Edin Velez, 1989) is an award-winning documentary on Japanese Butoh which was broadcast nationally in the USA by PBS and internationally in France and Germany by ARTE TV. The dark sensibilities and cultural resonances of Butoh, the radical Japanese dance movement, are explored in this multilayered work. Profoundly rooted in both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, Butoh arose in a spirit of revolt in the early 1960s.
Living Japanese composers navigate similar tensions to those found in Murakami’s artwork: the dangers and delights of both the natural and technological worlds, the reconciliation of tradition with the global marketplace, and the struggle to preserve the unique sensibility of Japanese culture within a modern context. From Joji Yuasa’s pioneering electronic sounds to the cultural challenges of Ken Ueno’s work, Sounds Modern will present a diverse selection of recent Japanese music that sheds light on the context of Murakami’s work.
Two sessions of this free program are offered, one for ages 5 to 8 and one for ages 9 to 12. Each session is led by an artist who takes participants through informal drawing exercises in relation to works in the Modern’s galleries. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Bring a sketchbook and pencils. Attendance is limited, so early arrival is encouraged.
Take advantage of live music in the Grand Lobby and enjoy music from the Daniel Stone Trio.
On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the 1957 Little Rock school desegregation crisis, educational inequality remains among the most urgent civil rights issues of our time. With its school district hanging in the balance following a state takeover in January 2015, Little Rock today presents a microcosm of the inequities and challenges manifesting in classrooms all across America. Through case studies in Little Rock, New York City, and Los Angeles, Teach Us All seeks to bring the critical lessons of history to bear on the current state of U.S.
Learn with local artists as they lead informal basic drawing classes in the galleries. This free class is open to adults at all skill levels—just bring a sketchbook and pencils. Registration is not required, but participants should sign in at the information desk. 2-3:30 pm
Two sessions of this free program are offered, one for ages 5 to 8 and one for ages 9 to 12. Each session is led by an artist who takes participants through informal drawing exercises in relation to works in the Modern’s galleries. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Bring a sketchbook and pencils. Attendance is limited, so early arrival is encouraged.
Take advantage of live music in the Grand Lobby and enjoy music from the Tom Reynolds Trio.
Take a break from the Texas heat for Modern Kids — Summer Flicks! Share the art of the screen with your children as they watch stories unfold and ideas form in delightful and innovative films. The bonus for seeing these films at the Modern is the opportunity to visit the galleries before or after and experience the wonder of the paintings, sculptures, installations, and videos throughout the museum, including those in the special exhibition Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg.
This probing documentary shines a light on what it means to be male in American society, where the definition of masculinity can be extremely narrow. Director Jennifer Siebel Newsom suggests that by expecting our males to behave in very specific ways, we are not only harming our boys and men but also society at large.
