Galleries

Reviews by Holly Myers (H.M.), David Pagel (D.P.) and Leah Ollman (L.O.). Compiled by Grace Krilanovich.

Dan Nadaner: Recent Work LA Artcore Center at Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Opens today. Wed.-Sun., noon-5 p.m.; ends June 4. (213) 617-3274.

Chris McCaw: Sunburns The Bay Area photographer makes his pictures in cameras he’s built himself, placing photographic paper where film would normally go. The results are unique paper negatives that read as positives, stunning prints that are slashed through or singed by the lens-focused rays of the sun (L.O.). Duncan Miller Gallery, 10959 Venice Blvd., L.A.; ends May 24. (310) 838-2440.

Dennis Hollingsworth Los Angeles has an unfortunate history of neglecting its midcareer artists, whether by ignoring them altogether in the glare of each year’s graduating class or by failing to provide the opportunities (and respect) they receive from institutions in Europe and elsewhere. This exhilaratingly seductive exhibition – only the seventh of Hollingsworth’s 35 solo shows to be held in L.A. – is a prime example of what the city stands to lose in such a bargain(H.M.). Michael Kohn Gallery, 8071 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; ends May 31. (323) 658-8088.

Jared Pankin: Bonsai Pankin’s third solo show at Carl Berg Gallery is a testament to the evolution, in his work, of a formidably sophisticated formal intelligence, as well as to the maturation – or at least potential for maturation – of the scrap lumber school of young L.A. sculpture (H.M.). Carl Berg Gallery, 6018 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; ends Sat. (323) 931-6060.

André Ethier: Vancouver Before Christ and Cathy Akers: Hertopia: An Illustrated History of the New World These two shows present whimsical but vaguely sinister alternative realities: Ethier’s is a sort of sad-sack, post-hippie, dystopic fantasy world, redolent of James Ensor, Odilon Redon and William Blake, difficult to make sense of entirely, but equally difficult to tear one’s eyes away from; Akers’ a prelapsarian utopia populated solely by tiny, nude, Plasticine women who cavort with abandon in pastoral wooded landscapes (H.M.). Honor Fraser, 2622 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; ends Sat. (310) 401-0191.