Like many collaborative art experiments, The Art of Such n Such is rather difficult to classify. Part midway show, part burlesque/vaudeville performance, and part fire art extravaganza, it's clear that The Art of Such n Such just has to be experienced first hand. Lovers of beautiful performers, fire, and carnival games will be satiated at this weekend's Art Outside where the Art of Such n Such will engage audiences of all kinds. We had the opportunity to talk to Charlie Smith, the official Instigator of the Such n Such crew about their past experiences, what they'll be presenting at Art Outside and what inspires their madness. more ›

Performing this Friday night at Art Outside 2009 is Reggie Watts with his unique blend of musical comedy. Reggie has produced numerous broadband original comedy series for ComedyCentral.com, Superdeluxe.com, IFC.com, and Vimeo. The "Supercomedian" has performed at arts festivals across the country as well as overseas for delighted comedy and music fans alike. more ›

For his profession, Jimmy Kuehnle wears a strange uniform. The sculptor and performance artist creates giant inflatable suits that he fills with air with the help of a backpack mounted fan. Kuehnle then ambles down city streets surrounded by billowing layers of inflated nylon. Earlier this year, lucky passers-by and Fusebox Festival participants may have caught Kuehnle's performances in downtown Austin. Currently the Philip C. Curtis Artist in Residence at Albion College in Albion, Michigan, Kuehnle will be returning to the heart of Texas this weekend for Art Outside. We got a chance to ask Jimmy about his work, and the ever present dangers of working in a giant balloon-like suit. more ›

With a full schedule of music, film, fashion, comedy, workshops, and of course art, this year's Art Outside will be a family friendly festival celebrating all things creative. Art Outside is being held this year at Apache Pass, a fully equipped camping and event space just north-east of town. Attendees are being encouraged to experience the weekend long festival by tossing a tent in the car and bringing along family and friends - gates open at noon on Friday, and at 10am on Saturday and Sunday. Advance tickets are available online and cost $50 for three day passes, $29 for single day passes with children twelve and under free. We're giving away weekend passes to two lucky winners; just fill out the form after the jump. more ›

At its core, Art Outside is a celebration of creativity expressed through visual art. Taking art out of galleries and literally bringing it outside exposes it to new audiences and creates a backdrop that a more traditional venue can't provide. Moving this year's Art Outside to Apache Pass will allow the event's organizers even more freedom to showcase impressive (and, at times humongous) art. Fusebox Festival favorite Jimmy Kuehnle is returning to Texas for Art Outside to preform in his giant, inflatable suits. Like a human controlled, abstract moon walk, Kuehnle's creations are whimsical and mysterious. Welder Casey Warr will will be displaying his complex geometric metal sculptures outside in the fresh fall air. Kenny Browning will be bringing three of his award winning art cars out to Apache Pass along with a couple of operational fire cannons. more ›

As we've mentioned, this year's Art Outside is going to be bigger and better than ever before. One of the areas where this is most evident is in the ambitious line-up of performance artists that have signed on to participate in the event. In addition to a full scheduled of bands and DJ as well as dozens of visual artists, Art Outside will feature dance, circus acts, puppetry, clowns, and lots of amazing fire art. Performance collective the Art of Such N Such will steal the show with their interactive firey midway show. Among other fabulous contraptions, they've created a Test-Your-Strength Hammer that rewards the mighty with a fiery ball that shoots up into the air. Nothing goes together better than carnies and fire. more ›

For the past four years, Art Outside was a community based art show tucked away in the Enchanted Forest during the week of South By Southwest. Both an alternate venue and haven for those who were hipster-weary and overwhelmed with the scene downtown, Art Outside focused on bringing art and performance out of the galleries and theaters and into the great outdoors. Fast forward to 2009, and with the closure of the forest, the fate of the event was uncertain. With Maker Faire also not returning to Austin this year, the city faced a significant shortage of inspiring art festivals. Luckily, Art Seen Alliance and their fearless founder, Warren McKinney picked up the project and Art Outside will continue at a new venue with an expanded schedule. Taking place over the weekend of October 9th through 11th, the event will be held at Apache Pass, an outdoor events and camping venue North East of Austin. We sat down with Warren, who told us all about Art Outside's ambitious new incarnation. more ›

It still feels very much like summer, but for area artists interested in participating in fall's bounty of art and craft events, it's time to throw production into high gear. Here's a rundown of upcoming deadlines and events that are now asking for applications: East Austin Studio Tour, or E.A.S.T., is going to take place over two weekends this year, from November 14th through November 22nd. Of course, this is great news for art voyeurs interested in a glimpse into the creative process, but it also means that participating studios must be willing to stay open to the public on both weekends. Applications are also being accepted for E.A.S.T. exhibition spaces (theaters, galleries, etc.), happenings (temporary art projects, performance pieces, etc.), and programs (workshops or lectures). Applications are due on Tuesday, September 1st by 6pm and need to be mailed to Big Medium. All the information, including forms, can be found online. more ›

Step into The Enchanted Forest, wander past brooks overflowing with diamonds, try not to disturb the fauns frolicking to the sound of the flute, and finally arrive at—an art festival. That’s right, Art Outside is holding its third annual event at the Enchanted Forest, 3 acres of woods in South Austin. It’s kind of like the Shire. Everything from performance to video to painting and sculpture will dot the plots of the forest, and... more ›

We went to Art Outside this weekend a few times and had a fabulous time seeing so much creativity packed into a three-acre forest in the middle of the city. We dined on some delectable Jamaican jerk chicken, watched a show that included a Tesla coil and some pyrotechnics, played the largest string instrument we've ever seen (it stretched across the stream that runs through the forest), and learned how to do the Balinese monkey chant/kecak -- and this was all packed into just one day out of the four! In case you're thinking, "Man, I wish I could've seen some of that neat stuff," never fear, because Art Outside is continuing this next weekend as well with even more exciting things to see and do. May the Flying Spaghetti Monster bless the Enchanted Forest and Art Outside, for they truly show what a creative community Austin has. more ›

Interesting art extravaganzas and south Austin seem to go together very well. We're excited about this one, the Art Outside community art show, since it brings together many of our favorites all into the beautiful natural setting of the 3-acre South Austin Enchanted Forest. The show is back for its second year, with "over 200 visual and performing artists to lay the foundation for a revolutionary and one-of-a-kind artistic endeavor." It will feature sculptures,... more ›

MONDAY [20][film] "Flying Nun" documentary, courtesy of End of an Ear, at Alamo Downtown (link) [books] Rabbi Michael Lerner presents The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right at Bookpeople (7pm) (link) [film] "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde" at Alamo Downtown (7pm) (link) [art] Blanton Museum of Art hosts "Art is Intimate: Prints and Drawings" at Blanton Museum of Art (6pm) (link) [music] Karaoke at Beerland (9pm) (link) TUESDAY [21][film]... more ›

We recently heard that this Friday, Mutaytor is going to be playing two sets at the Enchanted Forest, one at 8PM and the other at 10PM. We're intrigued by the description of what they are: The Mutaytor is a futuristic vaudeville circus that blends multi-media, music, and visual performance into an unbelievable stage presentation that completely envelops and surrounds the audience. Onstage, The Mutaytor blends a rotating cast of players with improvised electronic music, 100... more ›

Austin is Taradise! And Lance and Sheryl split Congrats to Adlai McMahon, winner of our giveaway contest for Bloc Party's documentary/concert DVD, God Bless Bloc Party! The SXSW Music Festival roster expanded to over 1,100 this week, including such esteemed acts as Morrissey and The Flaming Lips Austinist photographer Matt Wright captures yet another amazing night shot in Austin, as well as some sexy shots of last week's Box Magazine issue release party. The... more ›

Image from Art Outside website All artists, performers, and lovers of art are encouraged to participate in the 2nd annual Art Outside. The Art Outside site explains the event as follows: Returning to the Enchanted Forest for 2 weekends in 2006, Art Outside will have more art, more performances with over 140 spaces available on 3 acres of land and 8 days & nights of programming to fill your imagination. Art Outside is a... more ›