Openings & Events

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AHTSIK’NUK (Good with the Hands) A collection of “rare and unusual” carvings from the Nuu-cha-nulth Nations of BC and Washington. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 1. Steinbrueck Native Gallery, 2030 Western Ave., 441-3821, steinbruecknativegallery.com. Mon.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Through December.

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Simple Cup Show Don’t let the word “simple,” deceive you. These are some fancy cups. While you may not have thought much about the design of whatever goblet or mug you’ve been chugging out of all these years, this one-day show, sponsored by KOBO, gathers an enormous cast of international artists who are offering their “contemporary interpretations of the cup.” It’s time to upgrade your chalice. Seward Park Clay Studio, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S., 722-6342, sewardparkart.org. 7-9 p.m. Sat., Nov. 1.

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We’re Still Standing A multimedia group show from Erin Frost, John Criscitello, Leigh Riibe, Sierra Stinson, Lisa Orth, and others. Awesome Witch of Rad will perform. Cairo, 507 E. Mercer St., templeofcairo.com. 7-10 p.m. Wed., Oct. 29.

Ongoing

Julie Blackmon and Heidi Kirkpatrick Two photographers show their series side-by-side, one focusing on newly born humans and their growth, the other attempting to give new life to old found objects. G. Gibson Gallery, 300 S. Washington St. (Tashiro Kaplan Building), 587-4033, ggibsongallery.com. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Ends Nov. 29.

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City Dwellers A dozen contemporary Indian artists are represented in this show organized by SAM and originating entirely from the private local collection of Sanjay Parthasarathy (a Microsoft millionaire) and wife Malini Balakrishnan. Scenes and icons from Mumbai to New Delhi are represented via photography and sculpture, from an all-native perspective. As tourists know, India is ridiculously photogenic, from its colorful idols and deities to the slums and beggars. It all depends on what you want to see. Dhruv Malhotra, for instance, takes large color photos of people sleeping in public places—some because they’re poor, others because they simply feel like taking a nap. Nandini Valli Muthiah opts for more stage-managed scenes, posing a costumed actor as the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna in contemporary settings; in one shot I love, he sits in a hotel suite, like a tired business traveler awaiting a conference call on Skype. Sculptor Debanjan Roby even dares to appropriate the revered figure of Gandhi. BRIAN MILLER Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., 654-3121, seattleartmuseum.org. $12–$19. Weds.-Sun.

Ends Feb. 15.

John Economaki and Bridge City Tool Works After suddenly developing a severe allergy to wood dust, woodworker Economaki had to shift his lifelong practice. He now makes tools for woodworkers—which this exhibit showcases. Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., 425-519-0770, bellevuearts.org. $5-$10. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sun. Ends Feb 1.

M.C. Escher, TOMIYUKI SAKUTA, & TYNA ONTKO Surrealism is the name of the game at Davidson this month—prints from the optical madman Escher will tessellate alongside Sakuta’s 100 portraits of bizarre faces and Ontko’s morhping, paper-cut installations. Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Ave. S., 624-7684, davidsongalleries.com. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues-Sat. Ends Nov. 14.

Joy Garnett

Being There is the first solo exhibition from the New York artist, whose paintings meditate on the modern media. Platform Gallery, 114 Third Ave. S. (Tashiro Kaplan Building), 323-2808, platformgallery.com. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Ends Nov. 29.

Ann Hamilton The famed artist has created new commissioned art for the Henry that she invites viewers to interact with through touch—elements of the show can be ripped off the wall and kept for later. Henry Art Gallery (UW campus), 543-2280, henryart.org. $6-$10. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Weds., Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs. & Sat. Ends April 26.

Handiedan and Sail These two artists both go by one name. Handiedan shows new collage work in Vesica Piscis. Sail creates narrative drawings in ink, collected in Canna Intrat. Roq La Rue Gallery, 532 First Ave. S., 374-8977, roqlarue.com. Ends Nov. 1.

Andrea Joyce Heimer and Joe Max Emminger Both of the artists wield a certain storybook sensibility in their acrylic work, which ranges from surreal images of people riding on animals to crude, metaphoric depictions of sex. Linda Hodges Gallery, 316 First Ave. S., 624-3034, lindahodgesgallery.com. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Nov. 1.

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Never Finished Lilienthal|Zamora take their intricately designed, sculptural light installation work to the big atrium. They aim to create a glowing vortex that stretches from floor to ceiling. Suyama Space, 256-0809, 2324 Second Ave., suyamaspace.org. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Ends Dec. 19.

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Pop Departures This exhibit takes a look at the Pop Art explosion of the ’60s, tracing its influence from Warhol and Lichtenstein to those who can be considered direct descendents, like Lynn Hershman Leeson and Jeff Koons. Seattle Art Museum, Ends Jan. 11.