MUSEUMS AND ART CENTERS

BELLEVUE ART MUSEUM

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

*GAME SHOW

BAM weighs in with another unexpected look at art. Brian Wallace's latest exhibit features games designed by artists (expect the conceptual), writers, and musicians. There's work that is fun to touch and see and play with, but the intent is serious: An exhibit about creativity and decision-making and how one relates to a work of art. Artists-in-residence include Seattle artist Helen Lessick (who created the Collect 'em! cards for Safeco Field), and English game theorist Beryl Graham. Through Jan 30.

CENTER ON CONTEMPORARY ART

65 Cedar, 728-1980.

DUSK

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 dark and 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 -- and the best works show that the most frightening situations are those which are not entirely explained. Through Dec 18.

HENRY ART GALLERY

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

GILLES BARBIER

Clones is being presented as part of Côte 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.

*INSIDE OUT: NEW CHINESE ART

A group exhibit exploring the avant-garde in China from the mid-'80s to the present. Showing artists from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, as well as Chinese artists living abroad, Inside Out promises to be a study in the contrasts of cultural identity -- traditional and modern, public and political, national and individual. Early reports suggest that many of the Chinese artists featured here have an excellent sense of the absurd. The show is so extensive that it takes two galleries to hold it all; the other is at the Tacoma Art Museum. Through March 5.

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.

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

9404 E Marginal Way S, 764-5700.

SCIENCE FICTION TO SCIENCE FACT

It's not really art, but it certainly is visual: In the MOF's new exhibit you can see a replica of Anakin Skywalker's podracer from The Phantom Menace. Other craft in the exhibit are inspired by such visionaries as Jules Verne and Gene Roddenberry. The show's point is the link between science fiction and actual technology, but you know everyone's really there to play with the Episode 1 video game. Through April 2.

MUSEUM OF HISTORY & INDUSTRY

2700 24th Ave E, 324-2099.

FROM LOG CABIN TO MARINER'S STAR: QUILTS FROM THE COLLECTIONS

Late 19th- and early 20th-century quilts from the museum's collection. Through April 2000.

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.

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. Through March 2000.

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.

WING LUKE ASIAN MUSEUM

407 Seventh Ave S, 623-5124.

A DIFFERENT BATTLE

An exhibit that explores the stories of Asian Pacific American 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. Through April 9.

WRIGHT EXHIBITION SPACE

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. Open-ended run.

OPENINGS

*AIR HOCKEY

The show's title suggests clever nonsense: This is obviously not another stadium filled with commissioned art. It is, however, a year-end show of the many very good artists represented by Howard House (Robert Yoder, Victoria Haven, Mark Takamichi Miller, and others). Howard House, 2017 Second Ave, 256-6399.

JULIE ALEXANDER/DAVID TRAYLOR

A show by two of the co-op gallery's new members. Alexander's work uses layer upon layer of graphite lines on top of pigment to create work that is both minimal and rich. Traylor's ceramics are organic and yet highly finished, covered in a metallic glaze that gives them an unusual visual weight. Oculus Gallery, 163 S Jackson, 366-2108. Opening reception Thurs Dec 2, 6-8 pm. Through Dec 31.

ANGELOPHANIES

Works about angels from 24 artists; see if you can spot Susan Robb's Portal to Heaven. LEAD Gallery, 1022 First Ave, 623-6240. Opening reception Fri Dec 3, 6-9 pm. Through Dec 30.

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

Winston-Wächter's inaugural photography exhibition celebrates the city and its inhabitants, its lights (obviously), and glamour. Such luminaries as Irving Penn and Alexander Liberman are featured. Winston-Wächter Fine Art, 403 Dexter Ave N, 652-5855. Opening brunch Sat Dec 4, 11 am-2 pm. Through Jan 8.

LISA BUCHANAN

These large new paintings are beautifully patterned but nothing like simple decoration. They recall the backgrounds of a Klimt painting, but the shapes are more uneasy and neurotic. Bryan Ohno Gallery, 155 S Main St, 667-9572. Opening reception Thurs Dec 2, 6-8 pm. Through Jan 9.

FEAST

Trust a bunch of artists to put a new spin on the tired old ground of food and drink. Inside the gallery is a group show. The window installation, I'm Not Hungry, is by Nicola Vruwink. SAM Rental/Sales Gallery, 1334 First Ave, Suite 140, 654-3183. Through Dec 30.

MARK HAYES/ALLEN COX

Hayes' assemblages in handmade boxes recall the Wunderkammern of the 16th century: compilations of photographs and text and found objects. Cox's oil paintings are abstract and also botanical. Grover Thurston Gallery, 309 Occidental Ave S, 223-0816.

ROBERT C. JONES/DALE TRAVOUS

Jones' drawings have had a lot of exposure lately; in this new show, his bold abstract oil paintings are back in the spotlight. The upstairs gallery features small and anxious objects by Travous, who favors working in medical surplus and plant materials. Francine Seders Gallery, 6701 Greenwood Ave N, 782-0355. Opening reception Sat Dec 5, 2-4 pm. Exhibit runs from Fri Dec 3 through Dec 31.

CAROLYN KRIEG/PERIPHERAL VISIONARIES

Using the hues and patterns of Indian textiles, Krieg assembles her work using a combination of computer imaging, Polaroids, and paint. In Peripheral Visionaries, three local artists -- Doug Keyes, Eva Sköld Westerlind, and John Jenkins -- explore the idea of seeing through shadows, light, and tableaux. G. Gibson Gallery, 122 S Jackson St, Suite 200, 587-4033. Opening reception Sat Dec 4, 3-5 pm. Thurs Dec 2 through Jan 15.

JI YEON LEE

Documentary and surrealist photography by Korean-born Lee. RAW Gallery, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1445. Opening reception Thurs Dec 2, 5-7:30 pm.

PHOTOGRAPHY IN SOCIAL CHANGE

Work by photographers allied with New York's Impact Visuals. The show's thrust is activist and documentary -- oppressed people, repressive regimes -- and opens two days before First Thursday to coincide with the WTO protests. FotoCircle Gallery, 163 S Jackson St, Second Floor, 624-2645. Reception Thurs Dec 2, 6-9 pm. Through Jan 1.

PATRICIA RIDENOUR/ERIN SPENCER/CHRISTINE BURGOYNE

Sexuality, self-portraiture, and masks -- a dark, introspective show of photographs by three local artists. Benham Photography, 1216 First Ave, 622-2480. Through Jan 15. Opening reception Thurs Dec 2, 6-8 pm.

ANISA ROMERO/ELIZABETH SCHULA/BRYAN YECK

Three local artists show new work with floral motifs. After the opening reception, the priceless Typing Explosion ladies will be doling out poetry on demand. Zeitgeist Art & Coffee, 161 S Jackson, 583-0497. Opening Thurs Dec 2, 6-8 pm, Typing Explosion at 8:30. Through Jan 4.

STOP TIME

Dale Flattum -- appropriately for the end of the year, century, and millennium -- is obsessed with time; his recent work addresses this theme in comic-style art. The Pound Gallery, 1216 10th Ave, 323-0557. Opening reception Sat Dec 4, 6-10 pm.

MERRILY TOMPKINS/GLENN RUDOLPH

Mixed-media sculpture from Tompkins, and regional photography from Rudolph. Esther Claypool Gallery, 617 Western Ave, 264-1586. Opening Thurs Dec 2, 6-8 pm. Through Dec 31.

*UNTIL 2000: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BEATKIT™

There will be an apocalypse of sorts at the end of this year: Artist Shawn Wolfe will cease to use his trademark Beatkit. This campaign to sell nothing under its own brand name has been seen on paintings, posters, drawings, and on "Panic Now" stickers all over the city. Even without his clever non-marketing strategy, Wolfe's work is bright and alluring and smart. Beatkit™, ultimately, is beautifully unnecessary. Houston, 907 E Pike St, 860-7820. Opening reception Thurs Dec 2, 7-9 pm. Through Jan 12.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

*DRAWING SPACE

A show exploring works with strong linear elements, featuring Laurie Chambers, Victoria Haven, Robert Jones, Robert Yoder, and D. E. May, curated by Beth Sellars. George Suyama Space, 2324 Second Ave, 256-0809. Through Jan 7.

*MICHELLE FIERRO/PATRICK HOLDERFIELD

The first Northwest solo show for Los Angeles artist Fierro. Her abstract works on paper and canvas are delicate little messes: Tiny globs of acrylic and oil paint, smeary pencil lines, and little pieces of lint combine in what the artist calls "vacant substance." James Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6220. Through Dec 18.

BOB HAOZOUS

Installations and portraits by the Native American artist. One installation, Separation, was first shown at the 1999 Venice Biennale. Sacred Circle Gallery of American Indian Art, Discovery Park, 285-4425. Through March 26.

PAUL HORIUCHI

A five-decade retrospective of Horiuchi's work; the artist died this past August. Kurt Lidtke Gallery, 318 Second Ave S, 623-5082. Through Dec 18.

JAMES JAXXA

Jaxxa overlaps fluid drawing, bold colors, and random shapes; the canvases are easy on the eyes, and meaning is tantalizingly out of reach. Robbie Mildred Gallery, 307 E Pike St, 903-1246. Through Dec 7.

KAWS

For the past five years, the bulbous skull and crossbones tag of New York graffiti artist KAWS has been seen on bus shelters, phone booths, and the sides of buildings. KAWS has another side -- his fine art is shown in galleries in New York, Japan, and Seattle. ARO.space, 925 E Pike St, 320-0424. Through Dec 11.

BEN MAHMOUD

Very skillfully rendered surreal paintings that present still life elements as if they were being carefully collected and archived. Ballard Fetherston Gallery, 818 E Pike St, 322-9440. Through Dec 22.

PETER MILLETT/WILLIAM WEGMAN

Millett's new body of elegant geometric sculptures are made from cleanly cut cross-sections of steel pipe. When he's not in the studio shooting his dogs, Wegman likes to draw and paint on photographic prints. Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave S, 624-0770. Through Dec 15.

KIM NEWALL

Green Blood is an exhibition of new paintings and carved sculptural constructions exploring the central images of body and tree, in a hybrid universe of plant and animal, memory, dream, and personal narrative. Seattle Pacific University Art Gallery, 3 West Cremona, 281-2205. Through Dec 3.

NIAGARA

This Detroit artist and pop diva plays with gender roles in her new work, where girls are hard-core and guys whimper. ROQ la Rue, 2224 Second Ave, 374-8977. Through Dec 4.

MIKE NIPPER

In Nipper's abstract oil paintings, layers of lighter paint on top of deep colors, along with linear grid qualities, combine to create a map-like landscape. Still Life Coffeehouse, 709 N 35th, 547-9850. Through Dec 6.

OUTBOUND

Another WTO-inspired show about trade, but in this case, it's cultural trade. Curated by artist Beliz Brother, Outbound contains work about American artists taking their ideas abroad. Bank of America Gallery, 701 Fifth Ave, Third Floor, 585-3200. Through Dec 15.

KATRINA WHITNEY

A 10-year retrospective featuring photographs, collage, paintings, and constructions. Habitude, 5350 Ballard Ave NW. Through Dec 30.