Daydream Believers

Geeks, it's time to come out of hiding! According to the Cleveland Institute of Art's Julie Langsam, an occasional escape into a fantasy realm isn't all that uncommon these days. To prove it, she's put together From Real to Surreal, an art exhibit opening today at the school's Reinberger Galleries. "As the world around us becomes more menacing," she says, "the allure of the [fantasy] state is increasing."

From Real to Surreal includes more than 15 works by famous dead artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. The fantasy worlds depicted in the paintings — on loan from the Cleveland Museum of Art — range from dreamlike landscapes (familiar to even the most casual sci-fi fan) to skewed perspectives (familiar to even the most casual hallucinogen-taker). "There's all these horrible things going on," says Langsam. "This series is asking the question: What is it that's going on in this culture that is producing this need for dream, escape, and fantasy?" From Real to Surreal's opening reception starts at 5 p.m. today at CIA's Reinberger Galleries, 11141 East Boulevard. The show runs through April 1. The gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. Call 216-421-7407 for more information. — By Katherine Fulton
Mondays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Starts: Feb. 17. Continues through April 1