‘Human Inhumanity’ display gets extension

Friday, Feb. 3, 2006 | 12:30 p.m.

It could be the series of friendly cartoon images juxtaposed against loaded words. Or maybe it's the tiny lavender hearts speckled through images of pain, war and suffering. Maybe it's the rifle scopes on the silhouetted crowd underneath the words "upper," "middle," "lower."

Whatever it is specifically, there is so much happening in "Human Inhumanity," a mixed-media installation on social themes at the Contemporary Arts Collective, that the gallery is extending the exhibit for another week.

Rather than closing Saturday as scheduled, it will end with a deconstruction party on Feb. 11, after which portions of the work will be sold.

The textured piece, created in the studio by Las Vegas artists Jorge Catoni and KD Matheson and Los Angeles artist Kate Jackson, was built of flattened and torn cardboard boxes that are attached to the walls with staples and tape.

The socially themed montage features words and familiar media images, some of which are repeated throughout the exhibit. Imperialism, greed, murder, racism, consumer and prey are just a few of the words that strike the visitors as they enter the gallery.

Catoni, who moved to Las Vegas from Chile a couple of years ago, came up with the concept of the installation piece designed to relay the message of the inhumanity in humanity. The exhibit, painted in muted colors, he said, is intended to be timeless.

"The same things happen over and over," Catoni said. "People are always fighting, trying to get power. One hundred years ago it was the same story. In 2,000 years it will be the same."

The Contemporary Arts Collective, 101 E. Charleston Blvd., is open noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on First Friday. Catoni and Matheson will be at the gallery for this week's First Friday event. For more information, call 382-3886.

Robots and aliens

Anyone who has enjoyed the utility boxes painted pink and black to look like robots in the Winchester Neighborhood as part of the Zap! project, might want to swing by Trifecta Gallery in the Arts Factory tonight for First Friday. Artist Marty Walsh is showing new works by the artist, Shan Michael Evans. The exhibit, titled "Everyone Wants to Live Forever," features Evans' friendly acrylic-on-canvas paintings of robot/alien creatures drifting in magical places.

Also, look for Evans' work around town. The Regional Transportation Commission will unveil a bus wrapped with his work this month. Painted to look like a spaceship, it features little Martians looking out the windows. Another CAT bus will feature the work of Catoni and Matheson.

For more information on the exhibit, call 366-7001.

First Friday Valentines

Artist Jerry Misko, known for his abstract paintings inspired by neon, will be handing out First Friday T-shirts to the first 500 visitors who stop by the booth tonight in front of the FunkHouse at Colorado Street and Casino Center Boulevard. The T-shirts, designed by Misko, say "I love First Friday."

For more information, visit www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org.

Kristen Peterson can be reached at 259-2317 or at kristen@lasvegassun.com.