Croatia Cred

Museum of Broken Relationships breaks into the Blaffer as part of the megamuseum conference

Donate your objects to the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Artwork by Jennifer Patterson
Did somebody take a bite out of your heart?
jpatticake/twitpic
Are you starry-eyed no more?
Artwork by Jennifer Patterson

Vengeance has never been so sweet — or so thoughtfully curated. As part of the American Association of Museums' 2011 Annual Meeting & Museum Expo, the Blaffer Art Museum at University of Houston will present selections from the permanent collection of the Museum of Broken Relationships, along with contributions from local heartbroken hoarders.

The MBR, which last week was nominated for a European Museum of the Year Award, is based in Zagreb, Croatia. The institution's organizers had aims of coming to Houston for AAM with part of their collection in tow, but were confronted with a scarcity of available exhibition spaces.

Enter the Blaffer, which has delayed a major renovation of its building conceived by New York's WORKac (of Diane von Furstenberg Studio Headquarters acclaim) in order to accommodate the MBR. Blaffer director Claudia Schmuckli, who serves on the AAM local host committee and is a co-chair for the public arts and programming subcommittee, offered the university museum's galleries to display the relationship memorabilia.

The Houston incarnation of AAM is unique for its inclusion of the public as part of the ideology of inclusion professed by the late Museum of Fine Arts, Houston director Peter Marzio. This sentiment carries into the MBR/Blaffer collaboration, for which locals are encouraged to submit trash from past trysts, whether it be a prosthetic leg (already in the permanent collection of the BRM) or a discarded mix CD cover.

To become part of our "global emotional history," visit BrokenShips.com and click on "Send Your Exhibit." Blaffer will accept donations between April 26 and May 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All objects donated in Houston will be on display for the duration of the exhibition.

It's an anonymous affair, and this exhibition is for keeps. The Museum of Broken Relationships will be on view May 21 through June 4.

unspecified

ARIA OF INTEREST

Austin Opera unveils dramatic new headquarters and performance center

Photo courtesy of Austin Opera.

Austin Opera's Sarah and Ernest Butler Performance Center

The art form of opera may date back to the 16th century, but Austin Opera is looking towards the future. On October 8, the company announced a sweeping investment in the city’s cultural growth.

The nonprofit, a community fixture since 1986, unveiled plans for its new home at 5811 Trade Center Dr. — but it's not finished yet. Austin Opera relocated its administrative offices in September, but the major work will kick off in January 2025. By October 2025, the company hopes to debut the artistic wing of the building, which will include a 195-seat theater.

The undertaking will also make room for rehearsal space, teaching and practice studios, a costume shop, outdoor event space, and a conference center. The artistic hub will allow Austin Opera to serve the Austin community more fully while providing critical performance and rehearsal space.

“The establishment of this new performance center is a historic step for Austin Opera to expand our audience, secure a sustainable future, and provide essential spaces for the performing arts community in Austin,” explained Annie Burridge, Austin Opera’s General Director and CEO, via a release. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with our community to build an inclusive new cultural hub for our thriving city.”

Although the headquarters will have plenty of bells and whistles, like a state-of-the-art A/V system, its most significant impact will be felt in Austin Opera’s artistic scope. The space will allow the company to expand its programming and educational offerings. Music Director Timothy Myers says the center will enable the organization to explore new repertoire, performance formats, and genres.

The ambitious project was made possible by longtime patrons Sarah and Ernest Butler, who will be honored in the performance center’s name. The creators of a $3 million endowment to fund Spanish language programming at the opera, the philanthropists also were lead contributors to the capital campaign. Austin Opera has secured $3.67 million towards its $7.5 million goal.

“We are proud to support the latest innovative undertaking of Austin Opera. This new performance center, which will bear our names, will help secure a sustainable future for opera in Austin and enable numerous cultural institutions to extend their important work into the community,” said Dr. and Mrs. Butler.

More information about Austin Opera and its current season is available at austinopera.org.

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