The Sculpture Center:
An Ode to the Odd
The title of the new two-man show at the Sculpture Center — Gentlemen of Oddity/Look! See!/Marvel of Marvels — sets a lighthearted tone for a thoughtful exhibition. The participating artists, sculptor Steven Jones and photographer Barry Underwood, take advantage of the sideshow vibe to experiment with the presentation and content of their work. Underwood has distinguished himself with his photographs of light-effect installations in natural settings, exposed over long periods of time to affect an otherworldly feel. However, the light installations themselves have never been displayed for the public until now. Their physical presence in the gallery does not demystify them, but only reasserts the tangibility of our fantasies. Jones' work draws upon false farmhouse-childhood memories to meditate, oddly enough, upon man's relationship with chickens in a series of humorous, ironic, and sometimes grotesque works. In "Relationship End," a bronze and aluminum fowl looks wistfully up at its aloof master; in "Portrait as a Half Man/Chicken" (left), the dignity of a face placid in death is undercut by a plucked body and splayed wings and drumsticks. It reminds us that, underneath, we're all dark meat. An opening reception will be held November 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 1834 East 123rd St. The show continues through December 17. For more information, call 216-229-6527 or go to sculpturecenter.org. — Joseph Clark
1point618gallery.com: Theater. Artist Chuck Mintz draws on the performance arts for inspiration and subject matter. Through Nov. 12 at 6421 Detroit Ave. Call 216-281-1618 or go to 1point618gallery.com.
Akron Art Museum: Landscapes From the Age of Impressionism. More than 50 French and American impressionists provide an overview of the style and its interpretations. Through Feb. 5. SuperNatural: Ohio photographers Bruce Checefsky and Bruce Underwood use technology to push the boundaries of the landscape art genre. Through March 4. Landslide Between a Rock and a Place: Kent artist Michelle Droll transforms a gallery into a vibrant sculptural installation, bringing landscape painting to life. Through Feb. 19 at One South High St. Call 330-376-9185 or go to akronartmusuem.org.
Akron Society of Artists: 80th Anniversary Member Show. A refuge for traditionalists, the society's anniversary show does not preclude experimentation, impressionistic flair, and projective imagination. Through Nov. 6 at 140 E. Market St. For more info, visit akronsocietyofartists.com.
Baldwin-Wallace College's Fawick Gallery: Between the Lines. Drew King's paintings depict abstract objects that abide by many recognizable laws of space ... when they feel like it. Through Nov. 4 at 95 E. Bagley Rd., Berea. Call 440-826-2152 or go to bw.edu/academics/art/news/.
Bonfoey Gallery: Cleveland Inside Outside: A Thirty Year Journey. In conjunction with her book, photographer Jennie Jones exhibits three decades of Cleveland's visual history. Through Nov. 11 at 1710 Euclid Ave. Call 216-621-0178 or go to bonfoey.com.
Breakneck Gallery: Cinematic Redux 2 continues the Halloween theme with locally and nationally recognized artists' reinterpretations of horror movie posters. Through Nov. 12 at 17020 Madison Ave., Lakewood. Go to breakneckgallery.com.
Cleveland Institute of Art Reinberger Galleries: Masters of Abstraction. Julian Stanczak, Ed Mieczkowski, and Robert Mangold, three of the most preeminent modern painters, display the depth and variety of form and expression represented in contemporary abstract painting. On view Nov. 4 through Dec. 17 at 11141 East Blvd. To learn more, call 216-421-7407 go to cia.edu/reinberger.
Cleveland Museum of Art: Chinese Art in an Age of Revolution. Works from the modern Chinese master Fu Baoshi (1920 to 1965) trace a turbulent time in that nation's history, as placid landscape paintings give way to politicized pieces commissioned to express Maoist ideology. Ticketed exhibition. Through Jan. 8 at 11150 East Blvd., University Circle. For more information, call 216-421-7350 or go to clevelandart.org.
CSU Gallery: The Last Exhibition. The final show in CSU's Chester Avenue gallery location is a decades-spanning retrospective on the students and faculty who have defined the university's art program since 1975. Through Dec. 10 at 2307 Chester Ave.; learn more at csuohio.edu/artgallery/.
The Gallery at Old Stone Church: Junkyard Essays. Internationally recognized multimedia artist Stacy Gibboni uses items from New Jersey salvage yards to tell stories about the art of the working man. An artist reception is set for 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 17. Through Jan. 3 at 1380 Ontario St.; call 216-241-6145 or go to oldstonechurch.org.
Howson Gallery at Judson Park: Layers of Memory. Sheila N. Markowitz's sojourn to Cuba is the starting point for a montage of altered digital photographs exploring memory and psyche. Through Dec. 5 at 1801 Chestnut Hills Dr. Call 216-791-2885 or visit judsonsmartliving.org.
Kenneth Paul Lesko Gallery: Cinema 02. Eighteen artists from four different countries working in media as diverse as painting, photography, and video give tribute to the culture and imagery of movies. Through Nov. 4 at 1305 W. 80th St. Learn more by calling 216-631-6719 or go to kennethpaullesko.com.
Kokoon Arts: Regional Visions. Regional painters and photographers interpret the local landscape in ways both traditional and abstract. Through Dec. 30 at 1305 West 80th Street. To learn more, call 216-832-8212 or go to wgsproductions.com.
Legation, a gallery: The Coast Is Never Clear. Sculptor and installation artist Annie Stimson expresses our collective dread of the future with materials like neon tubing and laboratory equipment that spell out warnings for 2012 and beyond. Through Nov. 20 at 1300 D. West 78th St.; call 216-334-7080 or go to legationagallery.com.
Mastroianni Photography and Arts: How Did I Get Here? Sculptor Ron Knight renders patriotic imagery, military hardware, and staple creature comforts in found materials to comment on the decline of our collective livelihoods. Through Dec. 9 at 2688 West 14th St. Call 216-235-6936 or go to mastroianniarts.com.
MOCA: Sculpture. Nationally recognized artist Ursula von Rydingsvard exhibits monumental-scale wooden sculptures emulating organic forms. Through March 31. Also: The Cuba Project. Hanging art, sculpture, and found-art installations by four Cuban artists speak to a proud heritage. Through Dec. 21 at 8501 Carnegie Ave. Call 216-421-8671 or go to mocacleveland.org.
Peninsula Art Academy: Plein Aire. Local artists celebrate the beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley. Through Nov. 19. An artists reception is set for 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at 1600 W. Mill St., Peninsula. For more information, call 330-657-2248 or visit peninsulaartacademy.com.
River Gallery: Lynn O'Brien & Tina Elkins. Painters Elkins and O'Brien layer images and materials, challenging viewers to look deeper into their works and discover the hidden imagery and intent. Through Dec. 4 at 19046 Old Detroit Rd., Rocky River. Call 440-331-8406 or go to rivergalleryarts.com.
Shaheen Gallery: Works on Paper. In the first exhibition dedicated entirely to his drawings, multimedia artist William J. O'Brien uses intense attention to detail to create dense images. Through Nov. 4 at 740 West Superior Ave., Suite 101. Call 216-830-8888 or go to shaheengallery.com.
Survival Kit Gallery: Mimesis. Rebecca Cross and Jonah Jacobs create postmodern fairylands in a series of surreal sculptures drawing on organic forms. Through Nov. 18 at 1305 W. 80th St.; learn more at survivalkitgallery.com.
William Busta Gallery: Cabinet. Kate Budd exhibits tiny, abstract wax sculptures. Tactile Bodies. Masako Onodera's wearable art references benevolent natural shapes like caterpillars and budding vines. Landscapes in Black and White. Jean Kubota Cassill creates delicate etchings. Shows continue through Nov. 12 at 2731 Prospect Ave. call 216-298-9071 or go to williambustagallery.com.
William Rupnik Gallery: Private Eyes. The gallery opens its new, permanent display space in rooms formerly occupied by legendary local jewelers H.W. Beattie & Sons. For the first show, WRG embraces international street artists and pop artists in an exhibit consigned by a private collector. An opening reception will be held Nov. 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the gallery, followed by an after party at 10 p.m. at Lava Lounge. The exhibition remains on view through Nov. 12 at 1117 Euclid Ave. Call 216-533-5575 or go to wrgcleveland.com.
