For months, students and passersby have seen Houston's Art Guys (Michael Galbreth and Jack Massing) back at their alma mater, the University of Houston.
Through the hot summer months, they have been outside of UH's newest residence hall Cougar Village creating the newest addition to the university's Public Art Collection. Although Galbreth and Massing have been in public view, they've managed to keep this particular work under wraps (literally) and have declined to offer too many details about it...until now.
On Sept. 22, The Art Guys will reveal "The Statue of Four Lies" to the university community. An unveiling ceremony will begin at noon with live entertainment from Houston musician Hank Schyma, artist Jim Pirtle, the Brown Clown (Nestor Topchy) and the UH cheerleaders. UH President Renu Khator and Honors College professor Richard Armstrong are scheduled to deliver remarks.
"Without giving too much away, I can say that the statue will invite interaction from students and the UH community," Galbreth said. "It will be a site on campus where students can feel free to sit and lie, or do whatever comes naturally."
Galbreth and Massing met 25 years ago as students in UH's School of Art. Their mutual zest for humor and art forged a partnership that continues to this day. They have created sculptures and installations, produced video projects, delivered performances and engaged in behavioral experiments. To reach new audiences and expand the boundaries of creativity, The Art Guys have not limited their works to galleries or museums. They have presented art in grocery stores, movie theaters, restaurants and other spaces. The New York Times has described the duo as "a cross between Dada, David Letterman, John Cage and the Smothers Brothers." To learn more about The Art Guys, visit www.theartguys.com.
UH was the first state university in Texas to establish a "Percent for the Art" program in 1966, dedicating 1 percent of the budget for each new building for that purpose. More than 260 pieces of public art are on display throughout the campus.
| WHAT: | "The Statue of Four Lies" Unveiling Ceremony |
| WHEN: | Noon - 1 p.m. |
| WHERE: | Cougar Village Residence Hall University of Houston Entrance 6 off of Wheeler Avenue |
| WHO: | UH Public Art Collection |