Heat Things Up With Desire at the Blanton [Art Preview]

February is the month in which to celebrate all things hot and sexy; never mind that we're sopping wet, freezing cold, and that a stupid rodent prophesied six more weeks of winter. Lucky for us, the Blanton Museum of Art is ushering in February in style with their new exhibit, Desire. The group show, which opens on Friday with a very special B scene art party, includes recent work by international contemporary artists responding to the complex human emotion of desire. This major exhibition, commissioned by the Blanton, includes a full roster of events including special guest speakers, a film series, and gallery tours. Singer songwriter Suzanna Choffel and DJ Nicknack will entertain at Friday's B scene opening reception. Attendees can tour the new exhibit, participate in art activities, and join the Austinist crew to play an interactive game designed to facilitate mingling, art appreciation, and maybe even love connections! As always, the Blanton will provide free appetizers, tours, and access to a cash bar, and because this month marks the opening of a new exhibit, museum members get free admission to this event (general public tickets cost $12).

Desire includes works that are as varied as the range of expressions of human desire. New York photographer and painter Marilyn Minter captures the erotic side of desire in her "Crystal Swallow", a sexually charged image that, in a different setting, might be dismissed as pornography. By contrast, Tracey Emin's neon work "You Should Have Loved Me" expresses the longing and the unfulfilled side of desire. Works by Minter and Emin are joined pieces from Olaf Breuning, Eve Sussman, and dozens of other artist as well as a selection of work from the Blanton's print collection. The print catalougue for Desire features texts from art writers, notable fiction writers, poets and others responding to the exhibited art. Anyone who finds themselves in the Blanton this weekend should be sure to explore the Paolo Veronese exhibit, which closes on Sunday. Veronese's impressive "Petrobelli Altarpiece" (c. 1563), is on display (in its only American appearance) accompanied by a fascinating exhibit about the history of the work.