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.

COCA

(Center on Contemporary Art), 65 Cedar St, 728-1980.

*Boy

A ten-year-old boy named Gregory Smart is at the center of a new collaborative installation created specifically for CoCA by the artist team of Harrell Fletcher and Jon Rubin. We get a real glimpse in to the life of this boy through videos taken by Smart from a helmet-mounted camera. The videos range from a day at the amusement park to shooting off rockets in the backyard with friends. The installation includes the video as well as items from the boy's life, like balls and a small-scale soccer field. Through Oct 9.

HENRY ART GALLERY

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

Archigram

The Henry scores the fun show of the summer by bringing in Archigram: Experimental Architecture 1961-1974, a touring retrospective organized by Thread Waxing Space in New York. Founded by a sextet of London artist/architects, Archigram did everything but build actual buildings, using drawings, models, collages, and installations to develop utopian ideas with a pop-art look. Their nomadic city of stilt-walking buildings is a dream worthy of the finest science fiction. Through Oct 10.

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.

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.

OPENINGS

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. Fri Oct 8 through Nov 2.

EFRAIN ALMEIDA

I wasn't expecting a show filled with delicate craft at Jim 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. Jim Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6220. Thurs Oct 7 through Nov 6.

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. Fri Oct 8 through Oct 31.

KATHRYN ALTUS

New oils by a Seattle painter whose work depicts coastal and Eastern Washington topography. Lisa Harris Gallery, 1922 Pike Place, 443-3315. Thurs Oct 7 through Oct 31.

CONTEMPORARY PRINTS

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.

LOU CUEVAS

Cuevas, a member of the gallery for four years, celebrates FotoCircle's 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. Thurs Oct 7 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 Avenue, 624-5596. Thurs Oct 7 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. Thurs Oct 7 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 of 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. Thurs Oct 7 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. Thurs Oct 7 through Oct 30.

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. Thurs Oct 7 through Oct 31.

SHELLEY JORDON

Still life paintings of the ever predictable flowers, bowls, and fruit set on draped tables. The most interesting element of the work is that surreal landscapes and skylines are present behind the table and in the foreground, creating a confusing and slightly more intriguing environment. Linda Hodges Gallery, 410 Occidental Ave S, 624-3034. Thurs Oct 7 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 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 Claypoo9l Gallery, 617 Western Ave, 624-1586. Thurs Oct 7 through Oct 30.

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. Thurs Oct 7 through Oct 30.

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. Thurs Oct 7 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. Sat Oct 9 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. Thurs Oct 7 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. Thurs Oct 7 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 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. Thurs Oct 7 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 works draws on more personal imagery and still incorporates the colorful palette Yatchman is known for. The Virginia Inn, 1937 First Ave. Thurs Oct 7 through Nov 2.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

BRUCE BARNBAUM/PAVEL BANKA

Southwest landscapes by resident gallery artist Barnbaum alongside surreal domestic scenes by Czech photographer Banka. Benham Photography Gallery, 1216 First Ave, 622-2480. Through Oct 16.

MARSHA BURNS

New photos by one of the Northwest's most