BELLEVUE ART MUSEUM
510 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, (425) 454-3322
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ANNUAL 2001
Traditionally one of the best local annuals, this year juried by Sue Spaid, curator of the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati. With works by 41 regional artists. Through Jan 6.
SHAPING STORIES
An odd and oddly beautiful little show about narrative, with work by some good local artists (R. Eugene Parnell, Phil Roach) and some tremendously good artists from elsewhere (Paul Pfieffer, Bill Viola) and a brand-new installation from the Typing Explosion. Through March 10.
* ROGER SHIMOMURA: AN AMERICAN DIARY
The subject of the World War II-era internment of Japanese Americans is one that Shimomura has visited time and time again. In An American Diary, and another series, Memories of Childhood, he discards his references to traditional Japanese prints and opts for a comic book format that is at the same time more accessible, and more eerie. Through March 24. A selection of newer works will be shown through March 10.
FRYE ART MUSEUM
704 Terry Ave, 622-9250
THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION
Paintings and drawings by Fechin, Bongart, and Gaspard. Through Feb 17.
WITNESS AND LEGACY: CONTEMPORARY ART ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST
How can art represent tragedy on a grand scale? What can be derived from it? What can be learned? Answers--perhaps--here. Through Jan 13.
HENRY ART GALLERY
15th Ave NE at NE 41st St, 543-2280
* JEFFRY MITCHELL: HANABUKI
In Hanabuki, ideas abound: contemplation vs. participation, fragments vs. whole, East vs. West, puns, bears, movement. It's a two-level installation loosely tied to ideas of heaven and earth, with a fur-lined cave below and clean white ikebana above. Through Jan 6.
* SHORT STORIES
A series of staggered rotating exhibitions that includes work from the permanent collection, commissioned projects, and installations. Work currently featured includes photographed drawings in sugar, chocolate, and dirt by Vik Muniz. Through May 12.
* SUPERFLAT
Contemporary Japanese art in the pop art vein, from work influenced by comics culture (manga and anime) to erotic doodles and weirdly blank photography. Through March 3.
WING LUKE ASIAN MUSEUM
407 Seventh Ave S, 623-5124
IF TIRED HANDS COULD TALK: STORIES OF ASIAN GARMENT WORKERS
Tired hands can't talk, but a series of videos, oral history interviews, and an installation recreating the working conditions of Asian immigrant workers can. Through Feb 2002.
WRIGHT EXHIBITION SPACE
407 Dexter Ave N, 264-8200
A CELEBRATION OF ABSTRACT ART
From the Wrights' collection, with work by Sol Le Witt, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitski, Gerhard Richter, and others. Ongoing run.
OPENING EXHIBITIONS
DAWN CERNY
In the image is beside the point, Cerny demonstrates principles of semiotics and narrative through printmaking, drawing, and book art. Opening reception Wed Dec 12, 5-6 pm. Woessner Alumni Gallery, Cornish College of the Arts, 723 Harvard Ave E, (800) 726-ARTS. Through Dec 14.
FUNDAMENTALS
* See In Arts News. One week only: Get your butt to Eyre/Moore and pay your respects. This nice gallery, with the nicest possible owners, is closing its doors after a week-long show of artists' work. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-9 pm. Eyre/Moore Gallery, 913 Western Ave, 624-5596. Through Dec 13.
ANNIE GRGICH
Twelve years of Grgich's work--intensely layered, intensely personal--which has its roots in the punk scenes and zines of Portland and San Francisco. Opening reception Fri Dec 7, 6-9 pm. Garde Rail Gallery, 4860 Rainier Ave S, 721-0107. Through Jan 26.
GARY GRENELL
Photographs of a specific ecosystem: the people of Green Lake. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. King County Art Gallery, 506 Second Ave, 296-7580. Through Dec 28.
GAYLEN HANSEN
New work by the renowned Eastern Washington painter. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. Linda Hodges Gallery, 316 First Ave S, 624-3034. Through Dec 22.
DEBORAH HORRELL
An exploration of vessels as metaphors. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. Elliott Brown Gallery, 215 Westlake Ave N, 340-8000. Through Jan 26.
DIANN KNEZOVICH
New spaces created by altering photographs of architectural and landscape elements. Opening reception Sun Dec 9, 2-4 pm. Francine Seders Gallery, 6701 Greenwood Ave N, 782-0355. Through Jan 13.
* NIKKI McCLURE AND BEATRICE CORON
If you've never seen McClure's intricate cut-paper works, I implore you, once again, to go. Here, she's also showing two books that she collaborated on with Coron, mailing them back and forth between coasts, building on each other's work. Opening Thurs Dec 6. Wessel and Leiberman Booksellers, 208 First Ave S, 682-3545. Through Jan 31.
DEBORAH MERSKY
Clay block prints that recall a more restrictive time--Victorian, maybe, definitely pre-genome--when nature meant something else entirely, a kind of snaky other relegated to patterns on the sofa. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. Esther Claypool Gallery, 617 Western Ave, 264-1586. Through Dec 29.
FRANK OKADA
An exhibition of the works remaining in Okada's estate when he died last year. His last works combine the strictness of geometric abstraction with a detailed brushwork and attention to paint handling that brings them to life. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave S, 624-0770. Through Feb 2.
CHRISTOPHER PALMS
Photographs from over 15 years of shooting. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-9 pm. KALO Gallery, 214 First Ave S, #B8, 781-7786. Through Jan 27.
TAMMY SPEARS
One-a-day paintings from her father's history with cancer. Opening reception Sat Dec 8, 6-9 pm. Artemis Gallery, 3107 S Day St, 323-0562. Through Dec 29.
STEPPING FROM THE SHADOWS
See Stranger Suggests. Portable and installation works from graffiti artists, including work in Farsi. Opening reception Fri Dec 7, 7-10 pm. Independent Media Center Gallery, 1415 Third Ave, 262-0721. Through Jan 31.
STEPHEN STOLEE
Photographs of random street graphics. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. Zeitgeist, 171 S Jackson St, 583-0497. Through Jan 2.
* TRANSMOGRIFIED
Other curators have meditated on the intersection of science and art, the Benjamin-esque implications of mechanical reproduction, and the through-the-looking-glass world of things that were formerly too small (or too hidden) to see. Here is Jim Harris' take, with the work of four exceptional Seattle artists (Claire Cowie, Patrick Holderfield, Susan Robb, and Ephraim Russell) and Stephanie Syjuco from San Francisco. Opening reception Thurs Dec 6, 6-8 pm. James Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6220. Through Jan 19 (closed Dec 16 through Jan 3).
CONTINUING EXHIBITIONS
* IOLE ALESSANDRINI
Alessandrini is 911 Media Arts Center's current Artist in Residence, and her stay culminates in an installation in First Christian Church's sanctuary. Known for installations that create light fields in odd places, Alessandrini here concentrates on the equation of light and revelation. First Christian Church, 1632 Broadway. Call 682-6552 for viewing hours. Reception Sat Dec 8, 6 pm. Through Dec 15.
* GARTH AMUNDSON
See Stranger Suggests. Amundson creates lenses from everyday objects, such as water bottles, and with them explores the gap between an object and its image. Seattle Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery, 1334 First Ave, 748-9282. Through Jan 7.
* THE BUNNY CHRONICLES
Hooray! It's back! Don't miss Tomiko Jones' adventures of the lonely, angry, wistful bunny-girl. Glazer's Camera Rental & Lighting, 517 Dexter Ave N, 233-0211. Through Jan 12.
ELLIOT ERWITT
Erwitt's photographs fall into that interesting space between art and kitsch: They're so familiar that they seem like advertisements for themselves. You'll recognize many of the images by this Magnum photographer. Photographic Center Northwest, 900 12th Ave, 720-7222. Through Dec 21.
FAMILIAR
I have no idea what this show is about, and there was another Familiar about a month ago--no relation, I think. Intriguing manifesto, though, including the sincere sentiment, "Our hypocrisy doesn't escape us (often)." What the hell--try it out. Cut Kulture Gallery, 2018 First Ave, 374-8753. Through Dec 15.
DONALD FELS
Audio memoirs of growing up with plywood, plus a big ol' installation. Jack Straw Productions, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE, 634-0919. Through Feb 28.
GROUP SHOW
With Larry Bemm, C. Blake Haygood, Elizabeth Jameson, Nan Johnson, and others. Ballard/Fetherston Gallery, 818 E Pike St, 322-9440. Through Jan 5.
ELIZABETH HAIDLE
New work from the artist who created the cover of Stone Gossard's new CD. Victrola, 411 15th Ave E, 325-6520. Through Dec 31.
MICHAEL KENNA, RUTH BERNHARD
Bodies, landscapes, and landscape-bodies. Reception Thurs Dec 6, 5-8 pm. G. Gibson Gallery, 122 S Jackson St, #200, 587-4033. Through Dec 31.
* KUSTOM PURSE
Retail: the new future of art galleries. This show, curated by artist Elizabeth Jameson, features purses created by 30 of my favorite artists. These are not your average accessories: Prepare to have your mind bent, at least a little. Kuhlman Clothing, 2419 First Ave, 441-1999. Through Dec 31.
BERKELEY PARKS
A window installation that meditates on guns--called, appropriately, Going Ballistic. 911 Media Arts Center, 117 Yale Ave N, 682-6552. Through Dec 15.
* PAUSE
A sound and video installation by Heather Dew Oaksen and Norie Sato, who investigated simultaneous 10-second pockets of time at opposite ends of the world through film. Suyama Space, 2324 Second Ave, 256-0809. Through Jan 4.
THE POUND GALLERY ART AND GIFT SHOW
Best Christmas shopping around! The Pound Gallery, 1216 10th Ave, 323-0557. Through Dec 23.
* MICHAEL SCHULTHEIS
In White Matrix, Schultheis continues his visual exploration of mathematics. Patricia Cameron Fine Art, 108 S Jackson St, #207, 343-9647. Through Dec 20.
* SHOPPING
In the spirit of the holidays, an oblique take on stuff and its acquisition. With work by Christian French, Dylan Neuwirth, and Jennifer McNeely, all three of whose work incorporates the double-take, the huh?, the slippery wicket. (Also featured: Rich American Brand, Christine Taylor, P.A.N.-Lab Industries, and not bad for a girl productions.) Vital 5 Productions, 2200 Westlake Ave, 254-0475. Through Dec 23.
* RAMONA SOLBERG
Solberg is like everyone's wacky art teacher: she takes some single item from her horde of found objects and makes crazy--sometimes crazy-beautiful--jewelry out of it. This exhibition has a lovely new catalogue to accompany it. Bank of America Gallery, 701 Fifth Ave, 3rd floor, 585-3200. Through Dec 14.
JAMISON TAYLOR, QUINCY QUIGG, JOSEPH WARTES
In Also Known As (AKA), three artists take their graffiti styles off the streets and onto the canvas. Nation Gallery, 1921 Fifth Ave, 374-9492. Through Dec 9.
* PATTI WARASHINA
This is Warashina's first solo show in Seattle in a decade; here, she focuses on the human body as seen in ancient history with sculptures that create a point on a visual timeline. Howard House, 2017 Second Ave, 256-6399. Through Jan 2.
* SHAWN WOLFE, JEFF KLEINSMITH
Two graphic artists who have elevated the workhorse of design into the realm of real art. Wolfe is the man behind the useless branding exercise Beatkit™ and the Installer/Remover. Kleinsmith is best known for his posters. Roq La Rue, 2224 Second Ave, 374-8977. Through Dec 10.
EVENTS
200 GLASSES OF BEER
Remember when this event was held at the smoky, disreputable Virginia Inn? Which is no longer smoky and disreputable? It's still happening, now at the Pink Door, with, as the title promises, 200 glasses hand-painted by local artists. For $20, you also get the beer. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241, Sun Dec 9, 5 pm; glasses go on sale at 5:15 pm, with music from 6-11 pm.
