Impractical Spaces Book Launch
Even though it has been available for a while, Impractical Spaces: Houston had its official launch Sunday. The event was held at the Orange Show on the stage where I saw punk bands play when I was in college. The event began with a talk by series editor Paddy Johnson, who is perhaps best-known nationally as the editor/founder of Art F City, a long-time art blog that is one of the inspirations for this here blog.
She explained how the Impractical Spaces began, and about how long it has been in the works (since 2016, I believe). Houston is the first city to actually complete a book, although there has been a small publication about Washington DC, We’re SO not getting our security deposit back.
She was followed by brief talks by several creators and participants of artist spaces in Houston were present. All but one of them represented now defunct spaces, which tells you something of the inherent wistfulness of the project.
Nestor Topchy had been at Commerce Street Artists Warehouse before founding Zocalo which later evolved into TemplO. Topchy remains a vigorous and impressive participant in Houston’s art scene.
Mark Larsen was the man behind The Artery. The Artery was a somewhat coy art space—it never seemed to advertise its own existence. It only ended in 2013, but I never saw it when it was an ongoing concern. I consider that a personal failure on my part.
Wayne Gilbert is the only artist who spoke whose art space is still a going concern. Since its founding, it’s gone by several names: Gallery 101, G Gallery, G Spot.
Joe Batista Rodriguez was a founder of the Chicano Art Gallery, which existed from 1975 until 1979.
This is Toussaint St. Negritude who was known as Orson Maquela when he was in Houston. He was an early resident of the Commerce Street Artists Warehouse. He spoke a little about those times, and then read a poem called “Why”. I say “read”—it would be more accurate to say he performed it. It would lose a lot if just reproduced on the page.
As far as defunct spaces go, Bill’s Junk hits me the hardest because of how recently and abruptly it happened. Bill Davenport, after starting the shop in 2008, closed it down in January of this year.
I’ve been noticing copies of Impractical Spaces: Houston for sale around town (for example, I saw some at the Menil bookstore the other day). But if you would like a copy delivered to your door by the United States Postal Service or if you are outside of Houston, I have copies for sale.
[Please consider supporting my work by becoming a patron, and you can also support my work by patronizing my online store. And one more way to support what I do here is to buy books through my bookstore. ]