Carnegie Museum of Art launches its much-anticipated exhibition of the photography of the late Charles “Teenie” Harris, an endeavor that is as much about American culture and Pittsburgh history — with a special focus on African-Americans — as it is about the art of image making.
The Frick Art & Historical Center displays works by the great House of Faberge, famed comic illustrator Alex Ross exhibits — and appears — at The Andy Warhol Museum, and a U.S.-Egypt artist exchange comes to Mattress Factory.
Pittsburgh artists shine at the final two iterations of the 2011 Pittsburgh Biennial, opening at The Warhol and CMU’s Miller Gallery (the final day to catch all five locations is Sept. 18 because The Carnegie’s closes after that), and at the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Annual, this year at the Society for Contemporary Craft.
The Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh’s A Fair in the Park offers a last opportunity to enjoy art/crafts outdoors Friday through Sunday at Mellon Park, Fifth and Shady avenues, Shadyside
Following are other season highlights. Watch the Weekend Mag calendar for a complete listing of new shows as they’re announced.
CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART: The 2011 Pittsburgh Biennial continues through Sept. 18, with exhibiting artist Stephanie Beroes in town to screen and discuss her cult classic 16 mm film “Debt Begins at Twenty” at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 (a Culture Club night, opens at 5:30 p.m., $10 museum admission includes one drink ticket). Exhibiting artists Zak Prekop and Jamie Gruzska give gallery talks at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Culture Clubs will also be held Oct. 20 and Nov. 17. “Ragnar Kjartansson: Song” runs through Sept. 25, with an added video recently installed.
“Teenie Harris, Photographer: An American Story,” a retrospective of images of Pittsburgh’s Hill District by the late Pittsburgh Courier photographer, opens Oct. 29 (through April 8). A black-tie premiere gala will be held Oct. 28 (tickets start at $250; RSVP at 412-578-2552).
“Revealing the American Story: Personal Perspectives from the Teenie Harris Archive Advisory Committee,” a panel discussion about shaping the show, will be held 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
“Picturing the City: Downtown Pittsburgh, 2007-2010,” 86 recent images from nine contemporary photographers who call the city their home, has its opening reception 5:30-9 p.m. Sept. 22 and continues through March 25. Exhibiting artists Richard Kelly and Annie O’Neill give gallery talks at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 23.
In The Heinz Architectural Center, “Palladio and His Legacy: A Transatlantic Journey” continues with an opening reception 7-9 p.m. Sept. 23 and symposium “Building Insights: Andrea Palladio” 1-3 p.m. Sept. 24 (free with museum admission). The exhibition runs through Dec. 31.
Other architectural events include the screening of “Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio,” on the late architect’s progressive program for impoverished residents of his county, Nov. 12, and a symposium, “Irish Architecture Now,” noon-2 p.m. Oct. 1 (both free with museum admission). Belfast native Cathy Wilkes has a solo exhibition Nov. 12 through Feb. 26 in the Forum Gallery.
The popular “What Are Museums For?” series returns Oct. 6. with Carnegie Museum of Art director Lynn Zelevansky on the museum as transformative leader. It continues Oct. 27 with the three 2013 Carnegie International curators on making the big show and Nov. 3 with Carnegie Museum of Natural History Director Sam Taylor on scientific and artistic thinking. The talks run 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by a reception.
The 50th anniversary of the decorated Christmas trees in the Hall of Architecture will be marked by a Carnegie Trees Preview Party Dec. 8 (tickets at 412-622-3325) and a Family Holiday Sing-Along Dec. 10. The Neapolitan Presepio returns Nov. 25 through Jan. 8 (except during tree set up Dec. 5-8). (412-622-3131).
THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM: One of the five sections of the 2011 Pittsburgh Biennial, “Gertrude’s/LOT,” opens with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 during which special performances will be given by exhibiting artists T. Foley, Amisha Gadani, Vanessa German and Jill Miller’s “The Milk Truck” (through Jan. 8). Exhibiting artist Madelyn Roehrig will present two videos from her ongoing project “Figments: Conversations with Andy,” 2 p.m. Nov. 5.
The Word of God series, examining the texts of major world religions through contemporary art, wraps up with “Max Gimblett, The Sound of One Hand,” Sept. 17-Nov. 13, and “Jeffrey Vallance” Dec. 11- Feb. 5. Mr. Gimblett will give a talk at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 followed by a shared reception with the Biennial. He will conduct workshops on Sumi Ink Painting Saturdays Oct. 8-22 or Sundays Oct. 9-23 ($95, members $86, includes materials, space limited). In conjunction with “The Sound,” gallery meditations and discussions will be led by Buddhist monks and teachers Oct. 15, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12. Mr. Vallance will talk at 2 p.m. Dec. 11 followed by a reception.
“Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross” opens with a Heroes & Villains Unmasked Party 8 p.m. Oct. 1, with Mr. Ross in attendance ($35, members $30). He will conduct a private exhibition tour for 30 people at 1:30 p.m. ($250) and will autograph collectables 3-5 p.m. (free with museum admission). He’s created an artwork for The Warhol available as a limited edition poster at the museum exclusively. A related film series begins 7 p.m. Oct. 7 with “Flash Gordon” with star Sam Jones in person; films also Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2.
“Fifteen Minutes: Homage to Andy Warhol,” an exhibition in sight and sound by artists associated with or inspired by Andy Warhol, runs Oct. 1-Jan. 8. (412-237-8300).
THE FRICK ART MUSEUM: Sunday is the last day to see “PAN — Fin de Siecle Prints: Art Nouveau on Paper.” “Faberge: The Hodges Family Collection,” more than 100 objects that go beyond the ubiquitous egg, opens with a gala Russian-inspired party on the museum’s terrace Oct. 21 ($250, purchase tickets at ext. 584). The exhibition’s public opening is Oct. 23 and it continues through Jan. 15. Related events include an Oct. 23 lecture by Stephen Harrison, curator of decorative art and design at The Cleveland Museum of Art; an Oct. 28 bus trip to explore “Russia in Pittsburgh;” a Nov. 6 University of Pittsburgh Carpathian Music Ensemble performance; and a Nov. 11 program on Russian Tsar Nicholas II’s automobiles (bus trip $75, $60 members; the others $10, $8; advance registration required for bus trip and Tsar’s cars, and recommended for the others). (412-371-0600).
MATTRESS FACTORY: “Neighbo(u)rhood,” different ways to visualize community, runs through Sunday. “Sites of Passage,” a guest-curated exhibition derived from an artist exchange between Egypt and the U.S., opens 7-9 p.m. Friday at the MF Annex Gallery, 1414 Monterey St. ($10), and continues through Jan 8. A performance work will occur at the opening; at sunset Sunday a second performance inspired by an artist’s five-week journey through revolutionary Cairo will be given. “Factory Installed,” new site-specific work by six international artists working in residence, opens 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28, continuing through Feb. 26 ($10). (412-231-3169).
WESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART: “Tattoo Witness,” photographs of tattoo culture by Pittsburgh artist Mark Perrott, opens with a reception 7-9 p.m. Sept. 16. Accompanied by “The Ink Spot,” images of individual tattoos submitted by community members and a place to record visitor tattoo stories, both through Oct. 16. Mr. Perrott will lead a gallery talk at 7 p.m. Sept. 23. Tattoos in culture, from sailors to us, is the topic of “Making Our Place in the World” 7 p.m. Sept. 30 by Ben Ford, IUP assistant professor who specializes in maritime and historical archaeology. “The Tides of Provincetown: Pivotal Years in America’s Oldest Continuous Art Colony (1899-2011)” opens 6:30-to 8 p.m. Nov. 4, continuing through Jan. 22. The talk “Art in its Soul: Perspectives of an Art Colony” will be presented at noon Nov. 9. Two films about early Abstract Expressionist Hans Hofmann will be screened: “Hans Hofmann: Artist/Teacher, Teacher/Artist,” on his process, at 7 p.m. Dec. 16, and a 1950 documentary, “Hans Hofmann,” which visits his Provincetown studio and painting classes, at noon Jan. 4. Openings and events are free but reservations are appreciated for openings. (221 N. Main St., Greensburg; 724-837-1500).
PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS: The 2011 Pittsburgh Biennial continues through Oct. 23. Exhibiting artist Gregory Witt and others will talk at 2 p.m. Sept. 18 ($5). A Brunch Discussion with the Biennial Curators will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 2 ($10). The exhibitions “2011 Artist of the Year,” Jon Rubin, and “2001 Emerging Artist of the Year,” John Pena, open Nov. 11, with a reception Nov. 18 (through Jan. 22). (412-361-0873).
PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS: The 2001 Pittsburgh Biennial continues through Oct. 23, followed Nov. 4 by the “Center for Emerging Visual Artists” of Philadelphia exhibition, through Dec. 11. (412-681-5449).
SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT: “Bridge 11: Lia Cook, Mariko Kusumoto, Anne Drew Potter” continues through Oct. 22. “Faces Seen, Hearts Unknown,” an informal public dialogue about issues of identity, will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 15. Ms. Kusumoto will conduct a private gallery tour Oct. 21 (call for information) and lead a workshop Oct. 22 (advance registration required). The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Annual Exhibition will open with a reception 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 11 and continue through Jan. 14. At the society’s BNY Mellon Center Satellite Gallery, Ohio glass artist Scott Goss’ “Glass Panel Series” continues through Oct. 9, then Brian Ferrell exhibits wooden furniture Oct. 12-Dec. 4 and Ann Coddington shows sculpture comprising basketry techniques Dec. 9-Feb. 12. (412-261-7003).
WOOD STREET GALLERIES: “Long Are the Days, Short Are the Nights,” recent Icelandic art, remains through Sunday. A component of “Long” is “Path: Installation by Elin Hansdottir” 943 Liberty Ave. “Parallel Universe,” dual technologies sharing a common vision, opens Sept. 30 (through Dec. 31). (412-471-5605).
SPACE: Two guest curators enliven the gallery’s season. Jill Larson’s “Extraction” will change during the exhibition run with the help of visitors (Sept. 23-Nov. 13), followed by Susanne Slavik’s “Out of the Rubble,” international artists considering the aftermath of war, Dec. 2-Feb. 5. (412-325-7723).
707-709 PENN GALLERIES: These Pittsburgh Cultural Trust galleries offer a full exhibition schedule, including “Felipe Garcia-Huidobro: Memory Shredder,” through Sunday; “Harish Saluja: Procession,” Sept. 23-Nov. 20; and “Ross Mantle: In the Wake,” Nov. 25-Dec. 31, at 707; and “Stephanie Armbruster: In Search of Something More,” through Sunday; “Thomas Bigatel and Peter Johnson: Universal Expressions: Movement in Multiple Dimensions,” Sept. 23-Nov. 13; and “Thomas Norulak: Detritus,” Nov. 25-Jan. 1, at 709. (412-325-7017).
CRAWL: The fall Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District is 5:30-9 p.m. Sept. 30.
SILVER EYE CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY: “HomeFrontLine: Reflections on Ten Years of War Since 9/11,” 11 documentary photographers and photojournalists explore the far-reaching impact of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, opening with a reception 3-6 p.m. Sept. 11 (ending Dec. 10). (412-431-1810).
THE PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER: “10 x 10 x 10,” small works by more than 200 glass artists, continues through Sept. 17. The Art on Fire Celebration and Glass Art Auction will be held Sept. 23 ($95).?(412-365-2145).
REGINA GOUGER MILLER GALLERY: One of the five sections of the 2011 Pittsburgh Biennial opens with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16, preceded by a tour with curator Astria Suparak and exhibiting artists at 5 p.m. (continuing through Dec. 11). Other events are planned to complement the show. (At CMU, 412-268-3618).
HUNT INSTITUTE FOR BOTANICAL DOCUMENTATION: “Botany and History Entwined: Rachel Hunt’s Legacy,” gems from the founder’s collection, marks the 50th anniversary of the Hunt Institute, Sept. 16-Dec. 15. Among many complementary events is the talk “USDA botanist B.Y. Morrison and his forward-thinking secretary, May Blaine,” 2 p.m. Sept. 18. Admission is free. (At CMU, 412-268-2434).
UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY: “On a Lucky Day a Surprising Balance of Forms and Spaces Will Appear,” an exhibition of faculty work, will have an opening reception 5-7 p.m. today, and continue through Oct. 21. Exhibiting artists will speak at noon on Sept. 21 and 28, Oct. 5 and 12. (University of Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building, 412-648-2430).