ARTS NOTES

Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 | 7:32 a.m.

What: "Atoms for Peace: A Historical Perspective"

When: Opens Saturday and runs through Jan. 21.

Where: Atomic Testing Museum, 755 E. Flamingo Road

Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Information: 794-5161

On the web: www.atomictestingmuseum.org

The fact that Erik Nitsche, a well-respected graphic designer, created friendly posters advocating peaceful uses of atomic energy in the 1950s while working for a major defense contractor seems a little, well, ironic.

So rather than merely displaying the brilliantly designed futuristic and multilingual "Atoms for Peace" posters, the Atomic Testing Museum is welcoming discussion.

The museum invited four scholars to share their thoughts on Nitsche's "Atoms for Peace" poster campaign, says Bill Johnson, director of the museum, who recognizes the possible conflict of interest in Nitsche's interpretations of peaceful uses for nuclear energy.

A Swiss-born modernist working in corporate design, Nitsche, whose prior experience included designing for the fashion and movie industry, began working for General Dynamics in the 1950s and designed the peaceful atomic posters mostly for European countries. General Dynamics created the first atomic-power submarine and was a major defense company. At the time, nuclear energy was thought to be ideal.

"Most people today would say it was a naive concept," Johnson says. "But back in the 1950s and '60s, it was well received."

Johnson says the exhibit is not an attempt to "push the program historically but to look at it in light of the 21st century."

Nitsche died in 1998.

Radford lecture

Fifteen years ago British artist Matthew Radford found himself walking against the crowds on Broadway when heading to his SoHo studio.

The experience would have a profound influence on his work. Over the years, he has created large-scale paintings of crowds that have evolved from more literary figurative works to more abstract representations that incorporate themes of modern technology.

"Indirectly the paintings are probably about how we relate as individuals and how we relate to the greater good," Radford says.

Moreover, he says, "they're about movement - the way things change and pass by and about seeing the world as not so static."

The artist is in the States for tonight's opening of his exhibit "Random Empires" at Chelsea Art Gallery in Palo Alto, Calif.

On Saturday, Radford will discuss his life and paintings at the Las Vegas Art Museum.

His local appearance is being made possible by art collectors Wally Goodman and Patrick Duffy, who have donated a Radford painting to the museum.

Details: 6 p.m. Saturday; Las Vegas Art Museum; free; 360-8000

Art contest

In reaching out to artists, "Bodies: The Exhibition" at the Tropicana is offering free admission every Thursday between 10 a.m. and noon or 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. to visitors who bring a sketchbook and pencils to draw the cadavers.

Artists can then submit their work based on the exhibit displays. The first-place winner will receive $300. Second- and third-place winners will receive $100. Submissions will be accepted through Dec. 8. The juried art show will be Dec. 15.

To reserve a free ticket, contact Eileen Lorraine at elorraine@prxi.com . The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Artists reception at Holsum Lofts

Lynn Peri Collection in the Holsum Lofts is hosting an artists reception today for glass artists Barbara and Larry Domsky and Joy Prendergast, metal artist Jennifer Gilbert, furniture painter Leslie Rowland and porcelain artist Teresa Testa.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 14.

Details: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday; Lynn Peri Collection, 241 W. Charleston Blvd., suite 160; 366-9171

Kiwi jazz man

New Zealand jazz trombonist Rodger Fox and his traveling ensemble, Rodger Fox Big Band, will share the stage with UNLV jazz ensembles on Tuesday.

Fox's band is coming to Las Vegas directly from the Monterey Jazz Festival in California.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; Artemus Ham Hall, UNLV; $10; $5 for seniors and students; 895-2787