TX Biennial invites usual suspects
The Texas Biennial features recent work by artists living and working in Texas, but those who have been recognized elsewhere are in a special category: five “invited artists,” who have recently undertaken big comissions or have large-scale projects here are designated by biennial curator Virginina Rutledge as part of her state-wide art show. 48 “other” artists will also participate at venues in several cities. Ms Rutledge’s disappointingly obvious choices seem curated from recent features in the NY Times: Margarita Cabrera will park a taco cart in Austin to promote her new global corporation, Mary Ellen Carroll will do nothing at Prototype 180 in Houston, Trenton Doyle Hancock and Annette Lawrence have pieces installed at Dallas’ Cowboy Stadium, and James MCGee’s Hill installation out in West Texas can be visited by groups of no more than 12 on either May 14 or October 15, 2011. If you don’t make the shortlist, you’ll have to wait for next year.