Park district. Now recognised as the home of the art
car tradition, Houston is where folk artists rebel against
mass production by transforming cars into artworks.
Founders James and Ann Harithas believe this rare
American art form should be recognised as fine art,
and the museum seamlessly blends a rotating display
of cars with other collections of contemporary art. The
privately owned vehicle was fundamental to the 20th
century, and the Harithases think the transformation
of the automobile is a potent personal symbol, where
freedom from convention reaches out to people who
may not be interested in traditional art. Keep an eye
out for intricate features on rims, odometers, interiors
and other parts of the cars, and don’t be camera-shy
— in keeping with the egalitarian nature of the art car
movement, the museum encourages photography.
ART HOUSE
Many say Houston’s free-spirited ethos is born of its
multiculturalism and famed lack of zoning laws, which
locals believe allows outsiders the freedom to create
their own pedestals alongside giants.
No one did that quite like the late John Milkovisch,
creator of the Beer Can House — a good introduction to
the self-taught and often uniquely individual ‘outsider
art’ movement that has long flourished in the city.