Art Hounds

By Minnesota Public RadioArts Performing Arts

Art Hounds episodes

December 05, 2019 Art Hounds: 'Underwater Dogs' in Winona
Music professor Eric Heukeshoven recommends you head to Winona, Minn., to check out “Underwater Dogs” at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. He says the show is like nothing else he’s ever seen, featuring underwater portraits of dogs big and small diving after balls. Photographer Seth Casteel’s images went viral in 2012; this is the first time they’ve been presented in a museum. The show runs through Jan. 5, 2020.
Kari Elizabeth | Godfrey Photography
Ariel Leaf and Joe Wiener play Zetta and Dog in "Dog Act."
Actor Linda Sue Anderson loves seeing plays put on by Fortune’s Fool Theatre, and is eager to check out it’s latest show “Dog Act.” Set postapocalypse, the show follows a band of vaudevillian troubadours who are determined to create art in a cruel world. Performances run through Dec. 22 at Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul.
Courtesy of Andrea Shaker
"sawfar grand hotel" © 2019
Just a few hundred feet away from Gremlin Theatre is Film North. Photo historian George Slade says you should check out Andrea Shaker’s exhibition “on bayt,” which combines photography, film and choreography to explore time-worn places in Lebanon. Shaker is second-generation Lebanese-American; her work contemplates what it means to long for a home she never had.
6 min
November 21, 2019 Art Hounds: A bluegrass Christmas in Lanesboro
Photographer and musician Sarah Peterson recently saw Commonweal Theatre’s production of “Sanders Family Christmas” and loved this holiday musical with a bluegrass twist. The story takes place just as the United States is getting involved in World War II, and the Sanders Family Singers decide to put on a show at the Baptist church to lift the community’s spirits. Peterson says the show is filled with great music and big laughs. Performances run through Dec. 22.
Artist, activist Tyler Olsen-Highness has got tickets for UNI Arts STP, which brings together diverse up-and-coming artistic talents from St. Paul’s Frogtown and Rondo neighborhoods. The event will feature live poetry and musical performances along with a vendor market. It all takes place on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 1:30 p.m. at Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.
Documentary filmmaker Bob Trench recommends checking out Larry Long’s American Roots Revue. Long brings together musicians with backgrounds in folk, blues, rock and soul to create an evening that spans American music history. Trench is particularly excited to see “Anishinaabe-Ojibwe Keeper & Singer of the Song” Waubanewquay Dorene Day. There are two performances this Saturday at the Dakota in Minneapolis.
6 min
November 13, 2019 Art Hounds: Coco Fusco is haunted by history
Jewelry designer Heather Lawrenz recommends paying a visit to Flaten Art Museum on the campus of St. Olaf Collage to see an exhibition of work by Cuban-American artist Coco Fusco. “Swimming on Dry Land/Nadar en seco” features video and installations that explore what’s missing from Cuban culture: the immigrants who fled the country, artists who were suppressed along with their work, and a coherent history. Lawrenz says the show inspired her to think about how her sense of home and place has shaped her identity. The exhibition runs through Dec. 18.
Artist Danielle Pebbles thoroughly enjoyed the latest show at Rogue Buddha Gallery in Minneapolis. “Mourning Glory” is an exploration of death through the eyes of more than 40 artists. Pebbles says the show features work both sad and celebratory, and got her thinking about how our culture avoids talking about death, and how she might break the silence with loved ones. On view through Nov. 30.
MCAD’s director of gallery and exhibition programs Kerry Morgan is headed to White Page Gallery to see Sean Connaughty’s latest show dedicated to Lake Hiawatha. For the past five years Connaughty has been working with volunteers to remove trash from the lake, sort it and source it. Their findings are combined with drawings, photographs and documents that testify to the critical habitat the lake provides. “Lake Hiawatha - Anthropocenic Midden Survey - Final Report” runs one week only - Nov. 15-23.
6 min
November 07, 2019 Art Hounds: Rod Massey's paintings offer 'Concrete Evidence'
Photographer Stuart Klipper is a longtime fan of painter Rod Massey. Over the years, Massey’s paintings have shifted from Minneapolis residential neighborhoods to more industrial fare. Klipper says his latest show, “Concrete Evidence,” captures the majesty of buildings most people never give a second glance. Klipper was particularly charmed by some of Massey’s smaller paintings, which pay homage to humble valves and pipes. On display through Nov. 30.
Jazz guitarist Andre Bergeron recently discovered the music of local blues artist Jonny Somebody. Bergeron says he’s particularly captivated by Somebody’s lyrics, which draw you in and hold you. Bergeron was particularly struck by Somebody’s song “Lazarus Rising” which wrestles with police brutality against African Americans. Somebody’s new album is called “I’ve Been Blind.”
Arts enthusiast and community activist Mary Cowen went to the opening of the show “Umbra” by artist Terresa Moses. Moses’ work focuses on the experiences of black women living in Duluth. Cowen says the exhibition is both a window into these women’s lives and a call to action for viewers to show their support for black women in the community. The show runs through Nov. 30 in the Zeitgeist Atrium in Duluth.
6 min
October 24, 2019 Art Hounds: 50 years of revolutionary art
Poet and TruArtSpeaks founder Tish Jones recommends you pay a visit to Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha in Minneapolis to check out Ricardo Levins Morales’ show “Another World is Possible.” The show features five decades of art by Morales depicting — and inspiring — social justice movements. Jones says the walls scream with the potential for what our world could be if we all stepped up. The show runs through Nov. 22.
Art enthusiast Janet Polli is looking forward to seeing “Feminine Inhuman” at the Twin Cities Horror Festival. The show brings together Reverend Matt’s encyclopedic knowledge of demonesses and Erin Sheppard's kinetic choreography to create an evening that would make Elvira jealous.
Artist Joan Finnegan just saw Commonweal Theatre’s production of “On The Verge” and says it was simply delightful. A trio of Victorian women decide to explore uncharted territories, including time travel. Finnegan says over the course of the evening they encounter everything from yetis and trolls to a strange substance called Cool Whip. Finnegan says it’s an entertaining allegory about searching for our place in the world. Performances run through Nov. 10.
6 min
October 17, 2019 Art Hounds: Art that helps you find your center
Independent curator John Schuerman thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Garvey’s solo exhibition “Omphalos” at Future Tense gallery in Minneapolis. The name of the exhibition comes from the Greek work for “navel” or “belly button” – it also refers to a sacred site believed by Greeks to have been the center of the world. Schuerman says Garvey contemplates what it means to be centered – physically and spiritually – with a lighthearted touch. On display through Nov. 9.
Avid theater-goer Candice Beckham-Chasnoff is looking forward to seeing “The Mess in Murder Manor” at Strike Theater. “The Mess” is an improv comedy group and “Murder Manor” is a spooky show perfect for the lead-up to Halloween. Each performance begins with the same premise – six guests arrive at a stately manor for the reading of a will – but from there, it’s a mystery as to where the improv will take you. Beckham-Chasnoff saw the show last year; she says it’s always smart, funny, and a great evening’s entertainment. Performances are Oct. 19, 25, 26 and 31.
Flaten Art Museum Director Jane Becker Nelson recommends paying a visit to the Perlman Teaching Museum in Northfield. There you can see two exhibitions of work by South African artist William Kentridge. Becker Nelson says Kentridge does a wonderful job of wrestling with the legacy of apartheid in a way that’s intimate and accessible. She’s particularly fond of his animation, “Second Hand Reading,” in which you can watch Kentridge (in the form of a drawing) stroll through pages of a book. On view through Nov. 20.
6 min
October 17, 2019 Art Hounds: Art that helps you find your center
Independent curator John Schuerman thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Garvey’s solo exhibition “Omphalos” at Future Tense gallery in Minneapolis. The name of the exhibition comes from the Greek work for “navel” or “belly button” – it also refers to a sacred site believed by Greeks to have been the center of the world. Schuerman says Garvey contemplates what it means to be centered – physically and spiritually – with a lighthearted touch. On display through Nov. 9.
Avid theater-goer Candice Beckham-Chasnoff is looking forward to seeing “The Mess in Murder Manor” at Strike Theater. “The Mess” is an improv comedy group and “Murder Manor” is a spooky show perfect for the lead-up to Halloween. Each performance begins with the same premise – six guests arrive at a stately manor for the reading of a will – but from there, it’s a mystery as to where the improv will take you. Beckham-Chasnoff saw the show last year; she says it’s always smart, funny, and a great evening’s entertainment. Performances are Oct. 19, 25, 26 and 31.
Flaten Art Museum Director Jane Becker Nelson recommends paying a visit to the Perlman Teaching Museum in Northfield. There you can see two exhibitions of work by South African artist William Kentridge. Becker Nelson says Kentridge does a wonderful job of wrestling with the legacy of apartheid in a way that’s intimate and accessible. She’s particularly fond of his animation, “Second Hand Reading,” in which you can watch Kentridge (in the form of a drawing) stroll through pages of a book. On view through Nov. 20.
6 min
October 10, 2019 Art Hounds: An absurd play about plastic
Konrad Case is looking forward to seeing “The Canopic Jar of My Sins.” This absurdist environmental play by Justin Maxwell puts the accidental inventor of plastic on trial. Case says theater like this helps spark dialogue about the the environment without beating people over the head or making them feel guilty. Performances run Friday through Oct. 19 at The Crane Theater in Minneapolis.
Dancer Rebecca Abroe recommends taking the kids in your life to “Expectation Station.” Part dance show, part musical theater, the program is narrated by Engineer Paul (of Choo Choo Bob fame) and features live music by the Roe Family Singers. Adults and kids alike can learn a few dance steps at a pre-performance workshop. Daytime performances run Wednesday, Oct. 16 through Oct. 20 at Steppingstone Theatre in St. Paul.
Presbyterian Pastor Greg Bolt moved to Red Wing, Minn., not long ago, and says he’s become a huge fan of the Sheldon Theatre. He’s excited to see Gina Chavez perform at the Sheldon on Oct. 25. Bolt says he first learned about Gina Chavez when she performed a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR; he loves her funky, eclectic Latin-folk style and her meaningful lyrics.
6 min
October 10, 2019 Art Hounds: An absurd play about plastic
Konrad Case is looking forward to seeing “The Canopic Jar of My Sins.” This absurdist environmental play by Justin Maxwell puts the accidental inventor of plastic on trial. Case says theater like this helps spark dialogue about the the environment without beating people over the head or making them feel guilty. Performances run Friday through Oct. 19 at The Crane Theater in Minneapolis.
Dancer Rebecca Abroe recommends taking the kids in your life to “Expectation Station.” Part dance show, part musical theater, the program is narrated by Engineer Paul (of Choo Choo Bob fame) and features live music by the Roe Family Singers. Adults and kids alike can learn a few dance steps at a pre-performance workshop. Daytime performances run Wednesday, Oct. 16 through Oct. 20 at Steppingstone Theatre in St. Paul.
Presbyterian Pastor Greg Bolt moved to Red Wing, Minn., not long ago, and says he’s become a huge fan of the Sheldon Theatre. He’s excited to see Gina Chavez perform at the Sheldon on Oct. 25. Bolt says he first learned about Gina Chavez when she performed a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR; he loves her funky, eclectic Latin-folk style and her meaningful lyrics.
6 min
October 03, 2019 Art Hounds: Printmakers in Mni Sota Makoce
Actor and storyteller Roy Taylor recommends seeing Highpoint Center for Printmaking’s latest show. “Transference: Printmakers in Mni Sota Makoce” features the printmaking talents of several local artists, including Julie Buffalohead, Jim Denomie, Dyani White Hawk and Jonathan Thunder. Taylor points out that any of these artists merits an exhibition of their own; to see their work together will be particularly powerful. The exhibition runs through Oct 26.
Playwright Dan Pinkerton is looking forward to seeing “Aubergine” at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul. Written by playwright Julia Cho, it tells the story of a Korean son who shows his love for his dying father by cooking a delicious meal. Pinkerton is a fan of Cho’s writing, which manages to move audiences without being overly sentimental. Performances run through Oct 20.
Wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad is a big fan of Frederick Somers’ paintings. Somers wanders deep into the Big Woods area around Northfield to find patches of sunlight that pierce through the tree cover. Ingvoldstad says Somers’ paintings burst with a symphony of color - “a rainbow times ten.” You can see Somers’ paintings as part of the “Foundations” exhibition at Northfield Arts Guild through Oct. 26.
6 min

About Art Hounds

From the publisher's feed

Each week three people from the Minnesota arts community talk about a performance, opening, or event they're excited to see or want others to check out.