As Houston’s fall arts season kicks into gear, the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University is offering a lineup that spans international artists, local commissions and performances that put creativity in conversation with science, technology and daily life. At the center of the season is “Bio Morphe,” the Moody’s fall exhibition on view Sept. 5-Dec. 20, which explores biomorphism through the work of seven international artists.
“Bio Morphe” examines the impact of society and science on the relationship between the human body and the natural world. Works on view include Christina Quarles’ fluid paintings challenging gender and racial stereotypes, Berenice Olmedo’s sculptures incorporating prosthetics and medical materials and Louise Bourgeois’ psychologically charged sculpture. Artists such as Eva Fàbregas, Lucy Kim, Tishan Hsu and Sui Park contribute pieces that connect biology, material science and digital culture.
The exhibition opens with a reception Sept. 5, followed by an artists panel Sept. 6 featuring Fàbregas, Kim and Park in conversation with curator Frauke V. Josenhans. On Oct. 9, choreographer Gabrielle Lamb and her company Pigeonwing Dance will present a site-specific performance responding to “Bio Morphe” as part of the Moody’s signature series Dimensions Variable. On Nov. 1, Rice student composers will premiere new works inspired by the exhibition as part of New Art / New Music. Later that month, Olmedo will join Rice faculty for an Artists-in-Dialogue event in partnership with the university’s Medical Humanities program Nov. 12.
Beyond the galleries, the Moody will debut new commissions that expand art into public spaces across campus. On Sept. 10, the sixth round of Tent Series commissions will be unveiled, featuring works by Tay Butler, Loc Huynh and Virginia L. Montgomery. Each artist has created large-scale pieces designed to prompt reflection on identity, community and belonging. A week later, Yifan Jiang will debut “Cafeteria,” the latest installment in the Off the Wall series Sept. 19 at Brochstein Pavilion.
Houston artist Guadalupe Hernandez will unveil his Moody Project Wall commission Oct. 3. Titled “Hijos de la Virgen morena,” the piece combines clay-painted surfaces with hand-punched papel picado figures created in collaboration with Rice students. Later in the month, artist jackie sumell will present “Endangered Feces,” part of the Moody’s Platform series, at the Harris Gully Natural Area Oct. 22.
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