Selections from Dada Motel

[Art]

Upon first glance, the new exhibit on display inside UNLV's Marjorie Barrick Museum, Selections from Dada Motel, may seem like a visual feast of the absurd. The truth, however, is the show has very little, if anything, to do with the early 20th-century art movement known as Dada. Instead, Selections is a group grope showcasing the work of more than 28 contemporary Northern Nevada artists, many of whom gathered for an historic show last summer inside the El Cortez Hotel in downtown Reno. Curated by Reno artist Chad Sorg, who also works for the Nevada Arts Council, the show promises to be far removed from the snobby, "what-year-is-this-lovely-wine" gatherings you may be dreading. Instead, Selections will shake things up by celebrating "the unlimited potential for absurdity" and by eschewing the "art world-spoon-feeding" that tends to contaminate much of today's work.

Every genre and medium -- from neon sculpture and pen-and-ink cartoons to bronze casting and video installations -- will be included in this show. And while last year's El Cortez show offered dancers, fire spinners and other performance artists, the Las Vegas version will be limited to more static works. That is, if you can call Jeff Johnson's neon functional art objects static, rather than the illuminated, humming, electrified coffee tables, chairs, and coat racks they are. Gazing at his works (imagine the power bill!) will make a deep impression on you, for sure. While we're not entirely familiar with the other artists involved, we can bet that the artists' reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 will answer a lot of your questions. The show's organizers request you "dress to extravagance for the opening night reception or just show up." You'll get to rub elbows with Reno's creative class and finally see why art is flourishing in Northern Nevada. Dress to extravagance? Sounds like a Dada show, all right. Jarret Keene, jarret_keene@yahoo.com

Selections from Dada Motel

Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Jan. 26-March 21

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History at UNLV

895-3381

Free