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Most adults want to play forever because their youth was misspent — now their screen-addicted children will be even worse off.
adults exhibit childlike behavior, such as expecting constant praise and recognition, avoiding challenges, and being unable to handle criticism, they become a liability rather than an asset to their employer. This can lead to decreased productivity, increased turnover, and a general decline in the quality of work being produced.
Our generation’s “Rosebud”?
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When I think too long on contemporary grown-ups, I do not like what I see. Something about it reminds of the final scene in Citizen Kane, after his love interest decides to leave him. Kane (Orson Welles) begins throwing luggage around and tearing up her room, and then, winded by the effort, spots a small snow globe and picks it up. The artificial snow begins swirling around the translucent sphere, and Kane is taken aback — and back — to a wintry time when he was a child. His famous final line is, “Rosebud.” After he dies, a large gathering of family, friends, and enemies wonder what his last word meant. Welles, himself, said it best. “Rosebud is the trade name of a cheap, little sled on which Kane was playing on the day he was taken away from his home and his mother. In his subconsciousness, it represented the simplicity, the comfort, and, above all, the lack of responsibility in his home, and it also stood for his mother’s love, which Kane never lost.” The devolution of modern adults is a collective treatise on nostalgic longing but often not for experiences we ever really had or adventures we even partook in. Most of us didn’t have sleds. Most of us didn’t have mothers waiting for us at home — they were working. But we had TV, sports, or video games. And, after a while, we had sports on TV or played sports-themed video games. Or skipped sports altogether and focused on fantasy-themed video games, never actually experiencing the thrill of riding or navigating a sled, cheap or otherwise. Like so many things in contemporary human existence, it is not so much a lost art as the vanishing knowledge of physically inhabited moments that define life at
an elemental level. If Citizen Kane is ever remade, “Rosebud” may refer to an Atari joystick. Or the film may never need to be remade because many adults remain committed to video games into their 50s and beyond. And many are consumed by sports viewing or sports wagering, even if they never played the sports they watch or wager on. Many grown men and women are consumed by fantasy, video games, anime, cosplay, or plain old childhood nostalgia. You can find pacifiers for adults and baby wipes for “dudes.” There are now official, adult dodgeball leagues, and shuffleboard, horseshoes, and croquet have all been replaced with the most childish joke of them all, cornhole. Which is particularly inane, because “cornhole” is sexual slang for “anus.” The term reportedly came into use as a noun in early-20th-century America due to the use of dry corncobs in lieu of toilet paper. Its verb form was popularized in the 1930s as slang for engaging in anal sex. It’s a potty punchline on steroids. And as adulthood ends, childhood teases a lifetime appointment. Children today spend more time on their phones than outside, physically playing less and, as they become teenagers, having less sex. All this, while their parents are shaving away their pubic hair so that their genitals look more like their children’s. Which seems doubly asinine because, for most of human existence, the appearance of pubic hair historically announced a child’s approach to biological adulthood. In fact — though it’s nothing new, just accelerated and increasingly universal — adults are spending billions if not trillions of dollars a year to appear as little aged or adult as possible. And it demonstrates a
dangerous, burgeoning communal neurosis characterized by a headlong flight into infantilism that modern society clearly fosters if not encourages. Meanwhile, their idle child counterparts are endeavoring mightily to avoid adult endeavors. English poet William Wordsworth wrote “the child is the father of the man” in 1802, and maybe it was true 220 years ago. But today more and more men and women are perpetually infantile, and their children are trapped in an infantile stasis. It’s all play-pretend, and we are each encouraged to “live our own truth” — with or without one another or the last or next generation. One of the next fortunes will probably be made by the creator of adult bed mobiles featuring spinning figures from Game of Thrones or Star Wars to soothe us when we silence the iPhone or turn off the flatscreen TV and try to fall asleep. But back to the kids. Social media and digital communication platforms allow youths to forgo interpersonal, face-to-face engagements, so young people are less and less capable of navigating these situations healthily or productively. Many young people are more committed and devoted to virtual relationships than actual, face-to-face connections with the people they live among or encounter every day. Their personal detachment leads to impractical isolation and retards their social development. There is certainly more to life than work, but consider this passage regarding infantilism in the workplace in Medium earlier this year. Employers need employees who are self-motivated, able to take initiative, and willing to learn and adapt. When
Sound familiar? Well, not if you avoid the workforce. But it’s as true in human relationships as it is in the workplace. It’s true of our 46th president. It defines our political parties. It’s inherent in contemporary social movements. It often even seems true of Americans in general because we are no longer conjointly whole. Free market Capitalism has converted de Tocqueville’s chronicle of “enlightened self-interest” to simply self-interest. And our exaggeratedly innocent and uncomplicated past — where we had fewer opinions and enjoyed fewer responsibilities — beckons almost dreamlike, an attractive mirage. The real reason the old want their youth back so badly (or never want to leave it) is that they didn’t spend it particularly productively and didn’t appreciate it for what it was at the time. And, ultimately, they have this simultaneously in common with Gen Z, which, excepting a lack of pubic hair, is literally doing and experiencing even less than their parental or grandparental units. We’re no longer encouraged to be grown-ups or adults, which allows the powers that be to manipulate and pit us against each other more easily while they bury us all under their own childlike indulgences. Which means our children’s “Rosebud” will be an earbud and their children’s children will likely enjoy implanted earbuds to feed them the answers and teach them what to believe — but not how to think — rendering them children even as adults. A brave new world full of cowards. l Fort Worth writer and journalist E.R. Bills is the author of the upcoming Letters from Texas, 2021-2023. This column reflects the opinions and fact-gathering of the author(s) and only the author(s) and not the Fort Worth Weekly. To submit a column, please email Editor Anthony Mariani at Anthony@FWWeekly. com. He will gently edit it for clarity and concision.
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At last week’s Adulti-Verse event at Meow Wolf in Grapevine, Beyond the Bar showed us how to make the Smooth Sailor, a nonalcoholic Dark ’N Stormy, with Ritual Rum Alternative partnering with the lime juice and ginger beer. DJ Sober, of course, spun tunes throughout all the kid-free, alcohol-free fun.
2.) The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW), Tyler Anne Stevens’ indie bar serving beer and cocktails in addition to mocktails with live music throughout the week, is open 2pm-2am daily. She let us know about her notable mocktail bartenders @CaitlinRose817 and @Jetson817.
Cour tesy Blackall Photography
Cour tesy Ritual Zero Proof
Along with a lavender vodka lemonade (purple), Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe (401 Bryan Av, Ste 117, Fort Worth, 817708-2739) also has a splendid Resolution Solution mocktail (bright red) slushing from the frozen machines. Open 11am-4pm Sun and 11am-9pm Tue-Sat.
The mocktail menu at Bendt Distilling (225 S Charles St, Lewisville, 214-814-0545) just got a Dry January refresh and features an espresso mocktini, a virgin Jam Jar, a virgin paloma, and more. Open 2pm-9pm Sun-Thu and noon-10pm Fri-Sat.
3.) Don Artemio Mexican Heritage (3268 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-470-1439) is open 10am-8pm Sun, 11am-9pm MonThu, and 11am-10pm Fri-Sat and offers a contemporary take on the cuisine of Northeast Mexico, plus classic cocktails and wine along with zero-alcohol cocktails. @PrimalVintage says, “Don Artemio has a full Dry January menu!” 4.) Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe (401 Bryan Av, Ste 117, Fort Worth, 817-7082739) whips up pizza, salads, sandwiches, and freshly brewed beers, plus signature cocktails and mocktails. 5.) Nickel City (212 S Main St, Ste 100, Fort Worth, @NickelCityFWTX) is open noon-2am daily, doling out hot dogs,
sliders, wings, and tater tots, plus beer, cocktails, and wine to go with mocktails. 6.) Reata Restaurant (310 Houston St, Fort Worth, 817-336-1009), specializing in Southwestern fare, cocktails, wine, and mocktails, is open 11am-2:30pm and 5pm-9pm daily. @IvyFontaine says, “I was happily surprised by one of Reata’s limeades on the NA menu. Didn’t just taste like juice like many do. Had a sort of kick and mouthfeel, so it was interesting to drink.” 7.) Tarantula Tiki Lounge (117 S Main St, Fort Worth, @Tarantula_Tiki) is open 4pm-2am Mon-Thu and 2pm-2am Fri-Sun and concocts classic, original, and virgin drinks, including the most iconic rumbased beverages of the Tiki era. 8.) Tinies (113 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682-255-5425) is open 4pm-10pm MonThu, 4pm-midnight Fri, and 11am-3pm and 4pm-midnight Sat and slings rustic Mexican cuisine and cocktails/mocktails plus mezcal flights. 9.) The Usual (1408 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-810-0114) has mixologists pouring Prohibition-era cocktails and mocktails from top-shelf ingredients 6pm-midnight Sun-Mon, 4pm-midnight Tue-Wed, and 4pm-2am Thu-Sat.
By Jennifer Bovee By Jennifer Bovee
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As another media outlet recently pointed out, there is way more attention on Dry January than usual this year for some reason. Everyone is covering it. While I hate to be late to the party, this is important. Whether you’re giving up drinking for the month or have resolved to quit for good, there are plenty of mocktails to imbibe instead here in North Texas, like the ones pictured here.
1.) Bar Dryce, the lobby bar at Hotel Dryce (3621 Byers Ave, Fort Worth, 817330-6437), is open 3pm-10pm Sun-Thu and 3pm-midnight Fri-Sat, serving beer, cocktails, and food along with mocktails. @TexAlli says, “Bar Dryce has a dry cocktail menu year-round!”
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Cour tesy Funky Picnic
Readers’ Favorite Mocktail Locales
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Last week was National Mocktail Week, so we posed a question on social media. While any decent bartender can make a virgin version of most drinks, who makes a great craft mocktail? Below are the nine that you came up with.
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Are You Mocking Me? Yes. Yes, I am.
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I’d Tap That
Kim Platko & String Theory (Sun). Tickets start at $45 at ArtsFifthAvenue.org. Still not convinced you want to move your body rhythmically in front of other humans? Like my ex-boyfriend’s mom, if you’re going to dabble in this new hobby in the privacy of your own home and not make a public spectacle of yourself, pick up a pair of those TAPfits I’m seeing all over my Facebook feed. (I feel so targeted right now.) For $59, receive a pair of sustainably made taps that slip directly onto any flat-bottomed shoe. Or for $97, the taps come with six weeks of Learn to Tap online classes. Check it out at ShopTapFit.com. l
In which tap dancing follows me everywhere.
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B O V E E Cour tesy iMBD.com
All The Glorias love tap dancing. Be a Gloria!
I discovered The Glorias film last weekend, I thought, Oh, yeah. She likes to tap dance. If she can do it, maybe I can, too. We’ll see. Like Ms. Steinem, if you want to experience life a little fuller — and get moving — Arts Fifth Avenue (1628 5th Av, Fort Worth, 817-923-9500) is for you. Located in Fairmount, A5A offers classes and workshops for children and adults on intro to dance, ballroom, swing, visual art, and yoga, but the primary focus is the celebrated American artform of tap dance. Beyond the one-time registration fee of $20, classes at A5A are $20 to drop in, $55 monthly for one class per week, $100 monthly for two classes per week, or $135 for a tap pass of 10 classes at ArtsFifthAvenue.org/Classes. Occasionally, A5A will bring in celebrity guest teachers like Justin Boccitto. An international instructor currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Marymount Manhattan College, he has taught Lady
Gaga, Sean Fosse, and Sophia Anne Caruso and has appeared as a coach on MTV’s Made Show. He was even asked to teach tap to Stephen Colbert! On Saturday at A5A, Boccitto will teach a Tap Class at 1pm (beginners) and 3pm (intermediate). The fee is $40 for the 75-minute class. A5A hosts dance concerts, live music, theatre productions, and art exhibits, too. Before committing to tap classes, maybe check out the facilities at a special event. One such opportunity is the 20th Annual Django Reinhardt Festival 6:30pm Fri-Sat, Jan 26-27, and 5:30pm Sun, Jan 28. This celebration of the life and legacy of the “King of Gypsy Jazz” includes three nights of live music, film, French ambiance, and a taste of French country cuisine. There will be performances by Marcelo Berestovoy & Amigos (Fri); Gypsy Moon, Francis Meaux Jeaux, Jimmie Dreams, and Katie Shore (Sat); and
Cour tesy Justin Boccitto
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In December, I watched a different holiday-themed movie almost every night. Except for the falling in the swimming pool part, I’ve always thought that the Charleston dance scene in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) looked fun, and except for the cheesy music, the Vaudeville-esque tap dancing in White Christmas (1954) is also quite enjoyable to watch. But am I doing tap dancing in real life? Hmm. When I was a freshman in college, my ex-boyfriend had a little sister who had just started kindergarten. With no other sibling in between, she was doted on. She attended every kind of dance class, from ballet to jazz to tap. Adorned with baby jewelry and frilly dresses, she was the cutest thing, especially with those tap shoes on. Her mother decided to join the fun and took an adult tap class at the same studio. While she would practice for us at the house, there was no way she was going to do the studio’s end-of-season recital. She was way too shy. Nope. I say all this to say: Tap sounds fun. With the holiday behind me, I’ve recently begun watching biopics. I already knew a thing or two about Ms. magazine publisher, activist, women’s movement icon, and general badass Gloria Steinem from watching the Mrs. America limited series last year. So, when
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Celebrity instructor Justin Boccitto will teach tap at Arts 5th Avenue Sat, Jan 20.
Come on down to the Stockyards for the 23 days — now thru Sat, Feb 3 — that is the annual Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, the most authentic western lifestyle experience on the planet. In addition to a kickin’ rodeo in Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-402-9000), enjoy livestock and horse shows, kid-friendly activities and exhibits, live music, carnival midway, and more in the Stockyards (121 E Exchange Av, 817-6251025). Park that truck and get to walkin’!
FWSSR Rodeo Events
Every Thursday to Sunday thru Sun, Feb 4, celebrate the Stockyards 134th Anniversary with a Western Wear Celebration. Plus, on Saturdays, receive a complimentary fun package, which includes a kid›s bandana, entry into the Cattlepen Maze, historic walking tours (there›s that walking idea again), and more! The following two weekends on Fri-Sat, Jan 19-20 and Jan 26-27, saddle up for an afternoon of action-packed bulls, broncs barrels, and more at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. On Sundays thru Sun Feb 25, witness the adrenaline-fueled, high-intensity rodeo sport known as Ultimate Bullfighters that showcases skilled, thrill-seeking athletes as they uniquely blend courage, agility, and quick thinking to outwit the bull in the arena. Beyond the FWSSR season, every Thursday night through the rest of 2024, enjoy more high flyin’ bull ridin’ at the weekly PBR Stockyards Showcase.
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
On Sat, Feb 17, PBR presents the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo in the Stockyards, celebrating and honoring Black cowboys and
On Sat-Sun, Feb 24-25, run, jog, or walk through The Fort at the annual Cowtown Marathon events. The organizers have combined the love of running with «the excitement of racing, the joy of giving, and the culture of Fort Worth all together to make a race like no other.» With a starting line at 3400 Burnett Tandy Dr in Fort Worth (817-207-0224), you›ll make your way through the sites of the city, including the Stockyards, Downtown Fort Worth, the Botanic Garden, Trinity Park, the campus of TCU, and the Museum District. Along with the marathon, there is a 10K, adult 5K, kids 5K, half marathon, and an ultra-marathon happening at various times Sat-Sun. Registration for the 2024 Cowtown Race Weekend starts at $45 at CowtownMarathon. org, with proceeds benefitting The Cowtown CALF, which advocates children›s activities for life and fitness.
Horseback Riding at Stockyards Stables
Ride the Trinity River Trails on horseback with the Stockyards Stables (157 E Exchange Av, Fort Worth, 817-23-8830). Take a trail ride with experienced guides along the beautiful landscape of the Trinity River. This activity is great for families or individuals to enjoy. It›s a healthy outing, too. You›re guaranteed to use muscles you didn›t even know you had! Schedule your adventure at FortWorthStockyardsStables.com.
Music to Your Ears
If your New Year›s resolutions included hearing more live music, head to the Stockyards immediately! As the «world’s largest honky tonk,» you can always count on Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plz, Fort Worth, 817-624-7117) for a good time and great music. This month, make sure to attend concerts from beloved artists such as
FW Music Festival & Conference
Get ready for four days of live music across multiple stages in the Stockyards at Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference from Wed, Feb 28 to Sat, Mar 2. This 2nd annual event will feature 40+ artists, including Abraham Alexander, Band of Heathens, William Clark Green, Radney Foster, Futurebirds, Ben Kweller, The Nude Party, Shinyribs, Them Dirty Roses, and more. Pricing starts at $39.50 for single-day tickets. For the full schedule of artist performances, panel discussions, other ticket options, and more, visit FortWorthMusicFestival.com.
Step into the West
Fort Worth is where the West begins, and nothing embodies Western heritage better than the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. From the original brick walkways to the wooden corrals, every inch of the Stockyards tells the true history of Texas’s famous livestock industry. For more event ideas and information beyond this promotional feature, please visit FortWorthStockyards.org.
Cowtown Culture
On Thu, Feb 8, see a Historic Reenactment of the Luke Short & Jim Courtright Shootout in front of the White Elephant Saloon (106 E Exchange Av, 817-624-8273). Known as «Fort Worth›s last gunfight,» the altercation happened in 1887 between Sheriff Jim «Longhair» Courtright and saloon owner Luke Short. Current saloon owner, Chef Tim Love, will gladly serve you a warm bowl of award-winning Texas Red Chili and a piece of homemade cornbread ($6) at the Chili Parlor while you›re there, so be sure to step inside. While there›s no info yet on a time for the shootout, my gut says «high noon.» Then, on Sun, Feb 11, enjoy Mexico En La Sangre: New Year Fiesta at Cowtown Coliseum (121 E Exchange Av, 817-625-1025). This celebration captures the art of charreria (Mexican rodeo), Caballos bailadores (dressage or dancing horses), Folklorico, and live music. Festivities begin
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Pony Bradshaw (Fri, Jan 19), Ian Munsick (Sat, Jan 20), Elle King (Fri, Jan 26), and Pat Green (Sat, Jan 27). The Stockyard’s newest music venue, Tannahill›s Tavern & Music Hall, features live music plus food and drinks by Chef Tim Love. (Can you say dinner and a show?!) Upcoming concerts include Braxton Keith (Fri, Jan 26), Roger Creager (Fri, Feb 2), and The Mavericks (Fri-Sat, Feb 9-10).
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Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Cowtown Race Weekend
For a spooky adventure, you can’t beat the ghost tours in the Stockyards. Walking tours start daily at 7pm at the Cowtown Winery (128 E Exchange Av, Ste 610, Fort Worth, 817-626-1011). You’ll learn about the unexplained often happening in the area and the detailed history of the Stockyards and its bordellos, hangings, shootouts, and more. The stops include The Cadillac Hotel, Miss Molly’s B&B (as seen on the Discovery Channel), and The Stockyards Hotel, to name a few, and it all starts at the winery. The paranormal activity in the Stockyards is one of the country›s most active and written about, so put this event on your local bucket list.
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When you visit the Fort Worth Stockyards, beyond the bars, restaurants, and shopping to check out, there are fun activities and walking tours to get your blood pumping, plus plenty of music to get you dancing. According to Google Snippets, walking can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers. As little as a half hour per day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. With all that in mind, here are some ways to kick it in the Stockyards this month and beyond.
The Old West comes to life before your eyes during the world›s only twice-daily cattle drive presented by the Fort Worth Herd. Real Texas cowhands drive a herd of Texas longhorns down East Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards National Historic District every day at 11:30am and 4pm. Every detail of the cattle drive — from the saddles and chaps to the boots and hats — is authentic and historically accurate. You can also get a behind-the-scenes Fort Worth Herd Experience every Fri-Sun 1:30pm-2:30pm behind the Livestock Exchange Building (131 East Exchange Av). For the most up-todate schedule, please check the social media pages (@FortWorthHerd).
Ghost Tours at Cowtown Winery
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By Elaine Wilder
The Fort Worth Herd
with a special parade at 11:30am, followed by a show at 2pm. There is no cost to attend either of these events.
Cour tesy Cowtown Marathon
Kicking It Stockyards Style
cowgirls and their contributions to building the West. BPIR also serves as a cultural event and opportunity for families to enjoy and embrace the cowboy culture while being educated and entertained with reenactments, history highlights, and Western adventure.
Right after the FWSSR ends, it’s time for Cowtown Race Weekend.
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Question: When you have a new puppy, when can they start meeting new dogs? Or start going to doggy daycare?
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Answer: Happy New Year! First, I want to give you all the kudos on recognizing the importance
A well-socialized puppy becomes a wellbalanced, confident dog.
of proper vaccinations for your new family member and understanding how vital it is for their mental, physical, and emotional health to safely and properly socialize with other pups. Dogs are pack animals. They need friends just as much as we humans do.
A well-socialized dog is a well-balanced, confident dog. Fort Worth has many excellent opportunities to socialize your pup, from dog-friendly restaurants, hardware stores, and parks to a plethora of wonderful Doggie Daycares specializing in organized activities and opportunities for social stimulation. I would be remiss if I didn›t offer you or anyone reading this who has not had an opportunity to visit SHAW›S Paws Pet Care a Free week of play care and a discount off their first boarding. We have acres of climate-controlled, safe, fun inside/outside social stimulation and training. We at SHAW›S like to PAWty! Call us at 817-296-1769.
acebook
Guest contributor Shawna Gibson from SHAW›S Paws Pet Services (@FetchPetSit, 817-296-1769) has been caring for their own (and other people›s) furkids for more than 14 years. Since our second annual Creature Comforts edition last year, we›ve published her answers to your Critter Corrner questions in a Q&A format. (Think: Dear Abby.)
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Promotional Feature
With the holidays behind us, many of you have new fur babies you›ve adopted recently. One reader has a question about what to do next.
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As always, I defer everything to your veterinarian. However, in my experience, after their second series of vaccinations at 10-12 weeks (which should include all the standard as well as InfluenzaLeptospirosis and Bordetella shots), it is the perfect time to begin socializing with your new best friend. If your veterinarian is out of any vaccines, please get in touch with me at the number below. I have many resources I can connect you with.
Cour tesy iStock
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New Year, New Puppy? Awww!
ShawsPawsPetCare.com 817-296-1769 (call/text)
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Cour tesy Boston Museum of Fine Ar ts
Viewers bring their own preconceptions to visual art even as the creators have their own fully formed ideas and messages in mind. Bridging the gap between the observer and objet, the Kimbell Art Museum’s Bonnard’s Worlds features 70 paintings by Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) which allow the French impressionist to become the guide into his home and personal life. The guy is supremely pleasant to have around. “Paris Boulevard at Night” is told from the interior of Bonnard’s flat in Northern Paris looking out onto the working-class neighborhood below. In the darkness, people pass along a greenspace near the center encircled by buildings. Plentiful blues and greens underline the relaxing mood. Nearby, “The Riviera” is striking for several reasons, especially its colors. Light green and blue dominate the rural landscape awash in lush vegetation fading elegantly into distant hills. As with a lot of Bonnard’s paintings, his choice of color is as equally thematic as the content. “The Riviera” has all the elements of
“Paris Boulevard at Night” places us in the artist’s flat in Northern Paris looking out onto a quietly busy evening.
October 15, 2023–January 21, 2024
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MEMORY MAP
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This week offers one last chance to view the Kimbell’s journey into the colorful mind of a French master.
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith:
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Between ‘Worlds’
a warm, sunny day, but the overall effect — due to the colors — is surprisingly cool, perhaps hinting at the pleasure the Frenchman took from the vantage point he frequented. Following the exhibit clockwise, the pieces travel into Bonnard’s home and those he visited. “The Bowl of Milk” revolves around a young girl standing to the right. Her eyes are closed as she holds a golden plate in her left hand. At her feet, a black cat walks toward her. The most eye-catching part of the domestic scene is the bright sunlight beaming through the window to the left, illuminating a table beneath the window in radiant golden yellow. The artist undoubtedly found sublime beauty in each passing moment. With each successive piece, the viewer’s perspective becomes more entangled with the artist’s. Near the final portion of the exhibit, “Dachshund on a Chair” compels our gaze downward at a seated wiener dog. The steep angle puts us right in Bonnard’s shoes. In the last segment of Bonnard’s Worlds, we meet the artist’s wife and even Pierre himself. The capacious oil painting “The Siesta” finds Marthe Bonnard resting on her stomach across the couple’s bed. She is nude with her rear prominently centered. Were someone to stumble onto her like this in real life, they would apologetically retreat. Here, the painter welcomes them. And near the exit is a parting message from Bonnard — not only can we see him at age 60 in “Portrait of the Artist in the Dressing Room Mirror,” but we can inhabit his POV as he stares at his reflection. Pale, bald, and skinny, he is just himself, seeming to invite us to share a moment with him. The late work argues that all observers — including artists — bring their own views and lived experiences to renderings of observed environments. It is clear from the works spanning 50 years that Bonnard wanted to do more than reflect his world. He wanted to share it, and this show that’s up for one more week dutifully conveys his wishes. l
MODERN ART MUSEUM OF FORT WORTH 3200 Darnell Street • Fort Worth, Texas 76107 • 817.738.9215
themodern.org
This exhibition was organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Pictured: Jaune Quick-toSee Smith, The Rancher, 2002. Acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 72 ¹/₄ × 48 ¹/₈ inches (183.5 × 122.2 cm). Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire; purchased through the William S. Rubin Fund 2005.13. © Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith. Photograph courtesy the Artist and Garth Greenan Gallery, New York
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Bonnard’s Worlds Thru Sun, Jan 28, at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, FW. $14-18. 817-332-8451.
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