LA CIENEGA AREA

Naomi Caryl’s new paintings of hearts--yes, that’s right, hearts--exude a kitschy dreadfulness that suggests a bright mass-marketing future at honeymooners’ tourist spots.

Rendered in vile color combinations heavy on garish purple and peach (hues that cry out for Day-glo instead of mere acrylic), the paintings frequently sit on top of a solid-colored support, like cake tiers.

Most of the hearts have glowing centers, like logos for some New Age credo. Some are garnished with a dainty little white heart or laboriously textured with wavy ridges. Others are zapped by Op-ish multicolored triangular patterns, or by brushy streamers, arcs of color or stripes. One heart is made of puzzle pieces.

But no matter what the packaging, a syrupy notion of the function of art seeps through. (Ankrum Gallery, 657 N. La Cienega Blvd., to Oct. 3.)