BELLEVUE ART MUSEUM

301 Bellevue Square, Bellevue Mall, 425-454-3322.

*The Self, Absorbed

Curated by BAM director Brian Wallace, a simple self- portrait show this is not, as artists from across the country examine themselves with entirely new concepts in mind like cloning, medical imaging, and cosmetic surgery. Simple and captivating works like photographs and paintings incorporating DNA codes are contrasted with a video tape of an artist who drinks tequila until she passes out, while another artist documents in detail her many plastic surgeries. Way to shake up those Eastsiders, Brian. A few of the artists included are Chuck Close, Harriet Casdin-Silver, Denise Marika, and Do-Hoh Suh. Through Nov 9.

BAGLEY WRIGHT

407 Dexter Ave N, 264-8200.

The Wright Collection

Virginia and Bagley Wright have rehung their foundation's exhibit space, devoting one gallery entirely to their great collection of '60s and '70s color field paintings and introducing a large David Salle oil and the John Baldessari piece Two Onlookers and Tragedy to the mix. Other highlights of their collection include a Robert Longo, Eric Fischl, a huge Warhol Rorschach, and Jules Olitski's Thigh Smoke. Open-ended run.

CONSOLIDATED WORKS

410 Terry Ave N, 381-3218.

ArtiFIcial Life

The visual arts component of this new multidisciplinary arts space opens with a group show exploring various definitions of the theme, Artificial Life. A large installation by Sandy Skoglund is the show's centerpiece, with hundreds of fluttering butterflies the backdrop of a jellybean covered scene. Other highlights include an installation of cloned cast-resin sheep by Lauren Grossman, Shawn Wolfe's simultaneously technophobic and technophilic paintings and video, and Jim Rittiman's disturbing skeletons, which he conjures by mixing pieces of real insects, reptiles, and other animals. Through Nov 28.

HENRY ART GALLERY

15th Ave NE at NE 41st St, 543-2280.

Gilles Barbier

Clones is being presented as part of Cote Ouest, a series of exhibitions by contemporary French artists on view in venues along the West Coast this fall, and features lifelike wax self-portraits capturing various aspects of Barbier's persona. There are naughty, playful clones, resourceful clones, and clones that juggle the difficult job of daily living. To sum it all up, Trans-schizophrenic Anatomy is a wax cast of his bald head carved with a diagram of Barbier's divided consciousness. Through Jan 2.

What it Meant to be Modern, Seattle Art at Mid-Century

Over 100 works including sculpture, paintings, and works on paper exploring the art and influence of a specific group of regional artists tagged by Life Magazine in 1953 as the "Mystic Painters of the Northwest," which included Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves, and Mark Tobey. The exhibition follows the evolution of the "Northwest School" of artists from 1932 to 1962 and contextualizes their work with other national and international movements. Through Jan 23.

Nordic Heritage Museum

3014 NW 67th, 789-5707.

Vebjorn Sand

This traveling exhibition of works by a prominent Norwegian contemporary artist includes paintings and renderings from major installations, a 16 foot steel replica of Leonardo da Vinci's Golden Horn Bridge, and a series of extraordinarily rich paintings. Through Nov 16.

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM

100 University St, 654-3100.

An American Century of Photography: From Drypoint to Digital

An important exhibition of works from the Hallmark Photographic Collection examining important artists from Edward Muybridge to Aaron Siskind to Sandy Skoglund, and the advancement of photographic techniques throughout this century. Through Jan 9.

Anselm Kiefer and Germanic Tradition

Paintings, works on paper, and sculpture bring contemporary German works into focus. Kiefer, born at the end of WWII, balances visually powerful imagery with intellectual critical analysis in highly dramatic paintings. Works by Max Beckmann, Rosemarie Trockel, and others. Through Dec 5.

Roy McMakin

In an installation dividing the gallery into the layout of a house -- bedroom, bathroom, living room, and dining room -- Seattle artist, furniture maker, and architect McMakin uses stacks upon stacks of generic, store-bought household items, including refrigerators, toilets, tables, and mattresses. Each item stands in for others: a line of toilets becomes a couch, several refrigerators on their backs become a bed. This unconventional stuffing of a traditional living situation creates an environment of carefully calculated manic obsession. Through Oct 31.

SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM

1400 E Prospect St, Volunteer Park, 654-3100.

Explore Korea: A Visit to Grandfather's House

A presentation of a traditional Korean home, where visitors can explore both interior and exterior spaces hands-on.

Modern Masters of Kyoto

Works by late 19th- and early 20th-century artists from Kyoto round out the programming for SAAM's "Year of Japan." This collection is owned by Northwest residents Griffith and Patricia Way and contains more than 80 examples of Kyoto-school nihonga -- modern Japanese paintings executed in traditional media formats. Through Feb 13.

Worlds of Fantasy: Chinese Shadow Puppets

Volunteer Park hosts more than 70 puppets from the 19th century. The majority of the exhibited works come from the collection of Theodore Bodde, who purchased the extraordinary objects while in Beijing in the 1930s. Chinese textiles with related themes will accompany. Through April 2, 2000.

TACOMA ART MUSEUM

1123 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253-272-4258.

New Religion

A perfect show in anticipation of the end of the millennium. A look at works with religious allegory at their foundation, including everything from Donald Roller Wilson's hysterically irreverent, yet technically remarkable costumed animal paintings to the tattoo-style renderings of Don Ed Hardy. Other artists include Melissa Weinman, Kathleen Jesse, Kathleen Fruge-Brown, Jon Swihart, Mark Ryden, Tom Uttech, and more. Through Nov 7.

The End

Artists were challenged to create a portrait of the century as we look toward the new millennium, and the 94 selected works range from apocalyptic visions to depictions of cute newborn animals. The show was juried by New York-based sculptor, political activist, and installation artist Fred Wilson, who was also recently awarded the MacArthur Fellowship. Wilson is best known for his museum "interventions," including Mining the Museum, a celebrated and unusual collaboration between Wilson and the Maryland Historical Society. Through Oct 31.

WING LUKE ASIAN MUSEUM

407 Seventh Ave S, 623-5124.

A Different Battle

An exhibit that explores the stories of Asian Pacific American (APA) veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Grenada Invasion, and the Persian Gulf War. The stories are conveyed through written text, audio, and video components that are divided into two sections -- how the military and combat shaped the lives of these veterans, and how it has affected the lives of individuals, families, and communities of future generations. Through April 9, 2000.

OPENINGS

DIPTYCH: MILLENNIUM PROJECTS

Works in a variety of media exploring the broad concept of what has changed in the last 1,000 years. LEAD Gallery, 1022 First Ave, 623-6240. Mon Nov 1 through Nov 26.

DUSK

CoCA goes goth. Curated by Chicago artist Kim Collmer and De Kwok of Seattle's Milky World Gallery, the show focuses on the contemporary recontextualization of gothic tradition. The show is photography-heavy, including documentation of the L.A. goth scene by Mike Kelly and Cameron Jaime, sci-fi manipulated photos by Veronika Bromova, and Alexander Osbourne's photos of trend-setting bands like Bauhaus. This show isn't all black makeup and gore -- there is certainly an element of humor that runs through it. Opening night is a costume party. Center of Contemporary Art (CoCA), 65 Cedar, 728-1980, Fri Oct 29 through Dec 18.

LUX AQUA PURA

A unique month-long video installation by Marianna Haniger sponsored by 911 Media Arts Center, in the water tower at Volunteer Park. Viewers encounter a digital waterfall projected downward from the trusses onto the double stairway that winds around the center core to the top. Volunteer Park, the water tower, daily from noon to 6 pm. Sat Oct 30 through Nov 22.

BEN MAHMOUD

Very skillfully rendered surreal paintings that present still life elements as if they are being carefully collected and archived. Text within the composition either supports or confounds the relationship between the objects. Ballard Fetherston Gallery, 818 E Pike St, 322-9440. Wed Nov 3 through Dec 22.

*GEORGE STOLL

The first solo exhibition in Seattle for this respected Los Angeles artist contains work from his latest series that continues his fascination with household objects -- this time the sponge. Past obsessions have included Tupperware and toilet paper. Delicate and ephemeral, Stoll's burned balsa wood and alkyd sponges, and minimal pencil drawings, avoid preciousness and hit home with a sense of modesty and simple allure. Winston Wachter Fine Art, 403 Dexter Ave N, 652-5855. Thurs Oct 28 through Nov 27.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

A FRESH LOOK AT AN OLD WORLD

An exhibition of prints from students, former students, and faculty from the world renowned Academy of Fine Art in Wroclaw, Poland. It's an excellent opportunity to see what contemporary artists in Eastern Europe are up to. Techniques represented include mezzotint, drypoint, engraving, linocut, and etching with prints varying in size from postage-stamp to window-size. Fine Impressions Gallery, 7714 Greenwood Ave N, 784-5270. Through Nov 6.

A VISION HONORED

PCNW's fifth annual photographic competition exhibition was curated by Linda Connor, who chose 90 works by 90 individuals from over 1,700 submitted slides. Photographic Center Northwest, 900 12th Ave, 720-7222. Through Oct 31.

AIEEEEE! THE MONSTER SHOW

Monsters, monsters, monsters. Works by more than 25 artists in all media. Roq La Rue Gallery, 2224 Second Ave, 374-8977. Through Nov 2.

EFRAIN ALMEIDA

I wasn't expecting a show filled with delicate craft at James Harris, but the work is sublime. This is the first U.S. solo show by this internationally exhibiting Brazilian artist. A wall installation of 35 carved hummingbirds stands out as the centerpiece of the show. Francesca Pastine shows paintings in the project room. James Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6220. Through Nov 6.

KATHRYN ALTUS

New oils by a Seattle painter whose work depicts coastal and Eastern Washington topography. Lisa Harris Gallery, 1922 Pike Place, 443-3315. Through Oct 31.

AN ALL METAL VENUE

Eight artists show work in metal, from Brandon Zebold's four-yard-long sculpture to Jan Smith's miniature vignettes in brooch form. Madrona Automatic, 1435 34th Ave, 329-7869. Through Nov 14.

ART ABOUT MUSIC

Artwork with music as subject matter, featuring Weldon Butler, Joe Max Emminger, Mary Flynn-Gillies, Gene Gentry McMahon, Linda Okazaki, Lois Silver, and Chuck Smart. SAM Rental/Sales Gallery, 1334 First Ave, Suite 140, 654-3183. Through Nov 27.

ART: WORKS BY DESIGNERS?

Graphic designer/artists Tae Won Yu, C. Andrew Rohrmann, and Jason Thomas Faulkner show lithographs, paintings, and a sculptural installation, respectively. Zeitgeist Art and Coffee, 161 S Jackson St, 583-0497. Through Nov 3.

ALFONSE BORYSEWICZ/MARC WENET

Large gestural abstract paintings that faintly allude to Christian iconography by New York artist Borysewicz alongside new mixed media sculptures by Seders' favorite, Wenet. Francine Seders Gallery, 6701 Greenwood Ave N, 782-0355. Through Oct 31.

CONTEMPORARY PRINTS

Both works on paper and fine press books by Elsi Vassdal Ellis, Heidi Epstein, Jules Remedios Faye, Troy Gilpatrick, David Ireland, Thomas Johnston, Martin Muller-Reinhart, Joni Papp, and Christopher Stern. The Edison Eye, 5800 Cains Court, Edison, WA, 360-766-6276. Through Oct 31.

KARA COSTA

Erotic Narratives is a solo show of 53 photographic works on three different themes in three different formats. Includes 40" x 40" color photographs of sexy housewife pinup girls, b&w girl on girl erotica, b&w and infrared photos of a 12 month calendar boy spoof, and work from the series, "Film Stills from the Porno: The Lady John." ARO.space, 925 E Pike, 320-0424. Through Nov 6.

LOU CUEVAS

Cuevas, a member of the FotoCircle Gallery for four years, celebrates its fifth anniversary with an exhibition entitled Portrait of a Gallery, featuring photographs of the artists who created and continue to sustain one of Seattle's most interesting and consistently strong alternative galleries. FotoCircle Gallery, 163 S Jackson St, Second Floor, 624-2645. Through Oct 30.

*GARY CURTIS

An extremely touching and beautiful show. Childlike figures made from eggshell-thin raku, charred gauze, and rebar stand beside glass heads and mixed media portraits. Like the works of Judy Hill and Terry Turrell there is something hauntingly tender in the delicate lines and intentionally fragile and ephemeral media chosen to depict figures that so obviously need to be cared for. Eyre/Moore Gallery, 913 Western Ave, 624-5596. Through Oct 31.

PATTY DETZER

Detzer was recently awarded Best Artist in the Pound's juried exhibition, Mountains out of Molehills. This solo show includes ceramic and found object mosaic works. The Pound Gallery, 1216 10th Ave, 323-0557. Through Oct 31.

ELEMENTS OF A CULTURE: VISIONS BY DEAf ARTISTS

This touring exhibition features works by 16 American artists who are deaf. The works in the show celebrate a separate, distinct, and proud culture while also touching on more serious issues including communication barriers and societal hurdles. References to sign language are present throughout and it is the intention of the exhibit to inform viewers of the "innate cultural or physical deaf experience." Note -- this gallery used to be called the Seafirst Gallery and has not moved. Bank of America Gallery, 701 Fifth Ave, Third Floor, 585-3200. Through Nov 5.

GREGORY GRENON

The press release for this show proclaims that Grenon "attracts, repels, offends, or seduces virtually everyone." It's true. His portraits of women are often ghoulish and rarely complimentary in any way, but his devotion to his subject is apparent and there is some garish magnetism in his palette of acid colors played off dense, black elements. All that said, the work is undeniably physically powerful and clearly created with a committed vision. William Traver Gallery, 110 Union St, Second Floor, 587-6501. Through Oct 31.

ADAM GROSOWSKY

Paintings of female figures in everyday settings at work and rest. Kurt Lidtke Gallery, 318 Second Ave S, 623-5082. Through Oct 30.

WILLIAM HERBERHOLZ

In his show Prints/Porno Herberholz mixes subject matter from Tijuana Bibles, beefcake photography, and George Grosz in a stew of high and low references. Two Bells Tavern, 2313 Fourth Ave, 441-3050. Through Dec 1.

HEREAFTER

A spooky show of works by four new Soil members dealing with the idea of a presence beyond the grave, just in time for Halloween. Participating artists are John Feodorov, Scott Mansfield, Tim Marsden, and Mariam Stephan. Soil, 310 First Ave S, 264-8061. Through Oct 31.

JACKIE HUNSAKER

A solo exhibition of expressive, colorful narrative paintings. In From My Window Hunsaker paints characters that are both active and still. There is often a pull between compositional elements as areas are defined by borders or outlines. Even though the overriding effect is whimsical, there is always a deeper spiritual thread running through the work. Ballard Fetherston Gallery, 818 E Pike St, 322-9440. Through Oct 30.

*DAVID KANE

Veteran Seattle painter Kane takes over both exhibition spaces at his new gallery. In the front is a body entitled Suburban Souls, a series of acrylic on burlap works depicting golfing, barbecuing, and other middle class pastimes. Holidays in Paint is a series of small works that range in subject matter from mythological to futuristic -- all with Kane's dry wit front and center. Esther Claypool Gallery, 617 Western Ave, 624-1586. Through Oct 30.

DAVE KNOTT

Musician and instrument builder Knott shows an interactive installation of handmade stringed soundmakers at Belltown's finest (and oddest) music store. Wall of Sound, 2237 Second Ave, 441-9880.

DAVID KROLL/JUDY HILL

There's nobody around who paints a still life with such precision and sensitivity as Chicago artist David Kroll. Tiny birds land on piles of fruit and ceramic bowls in elegant compositions. Warm tones of paint are applied in thin layers providing a luminous glow. On the mezzanine level are new etchings and monoprints by Oregon artist Judy Hill, generally known for her raku and mixed media figurative sculptures. Grover Thurston Gallery, 309 Occidental Ave S, 223-0816. Through Oct 30.

*SIMON LARBALESTIER

88299 is the first U.S. retrospective exhibition of this British photographer known for his Pixies CD cover art. This is a multimedia exhibition full of photographs from the last 12 years, a CD-ROM portfolio, and two websites. It is a unique opportunity to trace Larbalestier's work from lush, atmospheric narratives to his recent lonely, minimal landscapes. Houston, 907 E Pike St, 860-7820. Through Nov 28.

JOEL LEE

Small works with a large presence. Layered with various media, depicting objects and animals, figures and text, still lifes and active narratives, these hand-sized triptychs are rich in image and concept. Lee is a wonderful painter and storyteller. King County Art Gallery, 506 Second Ave, Room 200, 296-7580. Through Oct 29.

ANN ROBINSON

A solo exhibition of new cast glass sculpture entitled Adrift. Robinson hails from New Zealand and has left her previous focus on vessels and created a new body of more organic forms inspired by her native environment. Elliott Brown Gallery, 619 North 35th St #101A, 547-9740. Through Nov 13.

*ADRIENNE SHERMAN

Taking painting cues from masters like Holbein, van der Weyden, and van Eyck, this San Francisco artist twists traditional compositions by substituting her greyhound dog and other animals in for the human figures. The work is technically slick and amazing, and tremendously witty. Davidson Gallery, 313 Occidental Ave S, 624-7684. Through Oct 30.

TIMOTHY SICILIANO

Inspired by a trip to Mexico City in 1997, Siciliano's solo show, The Mamacitas, contains large-scale ink drawings and a few smaller pieces. The narratives explore religion, tradition, and class structure, and a number of pieces focus on young brides. LEAD Gallery, 1022 First Ave, 623-6240. Through Oct 29.

*JEFFREY SIMMONS

Simmons has for many years been one of the brightest emerging artists in Seattle, and with this show he takes a leap into impressive new territory, showing examples from three recent bodies of work. His abstract works have to date been created by spinning stretched canvas on a turntable as the paint is applied from a fixed point, creating thick surfaces of brightly colored concentric circles. The circles now move about the canvas rather than emanating out from one central point, creating a Spirograph effect. Some of the new works have a hypnotic moiré pattern superimposed on the circles, while others abandon the spinning canvas technique in favor of layers of transparent acrylic emulsion dragged and spilled in random psychedelic abstract waves. Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave S, 624-0770. Through Oct 30.

ROBERT SPERRY

A beautiful show celebrating the life and works of an influential Northwest master. Robert Sperry (1927-1998) was known to be an artistic innovator and a respected teacher. The show features ceramic platters and sculptural works from the 1980s to early 1990s and a selection of dense and magical abstract iris prints. Howard House, 2017 Second Ave, 256-6399. Through Oct 30.

*WHAT'S IN YOUR KIT?

Curated by Audrey Marrs, over 25 artists were asked to create a kit to describe themselves and their present state of mind. Milky World Gallery, 111 Battery, 374-0933. Through Nov 2.

CYNTHIA YATCHMAN

Leaving her previous focus on abstraction, this new body of figurative work draws on more personal imagery and still incorporates the colorful palette Yatchman is known for. The Virginia Inn, 1937 First Ave. Through Nov 2.

EVENTS

*Affordable Live/Work Housing for Artists

The Seattle Arts Commission and the City Housing Office present a citywide public forum on this important issue. Mayor Paul Schell and city council members will be on hand to solicit recommendations and explore present and future space development opportunities. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, 8th and Seneca, Fri Oct 29, noon to 6 pm. Free.

Halloween Masquerade Ball

Dance the night away at SAM with Celtic rock group the Paperboys. Forty dollars buys two drinks, tasty treats, music till the wee hours, and entry into the most creative costume contest in town. Must be 21. Seattle Art Museum, Sat Oct 30. For more information call 654-3222.

Panel Discussion with George Stoll and Carlos Mollura

Winston Wachter Fine Art and the James Harris Gallery present a panel discussion with fellow Los Angeles artists Stoll and Mollura, both currently exhibiting in Seattle. Trevor Fairbrother, Deputy Director of Art at SAM and Chris Bruce, Director of Curatorial and Collections at the Experience Music Project moderate. The Bagley Wright Exhibition Space, 407 Dexter Ave N, Thurs Oct 28, 6 pm.