Fall Arts: 5 Must-See Events

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Fall Arts: 5 Must-See Events

Ruff Around the Edges

Not many contemporary artists have made a splash on Sesame Street, but William Wegman has effortlessly charmed his way into many worlds. Funney/Strange, presenting more than 200 pieces, covers all manner of his talents over a 40-year career. Included are his most famous images, large-scale Polaroids of his Weimaraner muses Man Ray and Fay Ray, as well as videos, film, drawings and paintings in which Wegman free-associates landscapes from vintage postcards. Following the title's lead, the show promises to put a smile on your face and inspire feelings that are tough to shake.

—Melissa Starker

What: "William Wegman: Funney/Strange"

When: September 20-December 30

Where: Wexner Center for the Arts, Campus

Web: wexarts.org

Spirited Sounds

The inaugural groan of Chirgilchin's 2005 release, Collectible, sounds like a combination of a broken carburetor, a slow lullaby and the last breath of Charlie Patton. No other complex, beautiful note on this offering will disappoint music fans looking for something spiritually stunning and wholly bizarre. The group hails from Tuva, a small Russian province north of western Mongolia. There they have mastered throat singing, which is produced by resonating low sounds in the throat, and expanded the art into something unique and intimate. Their Clintonville performance promises to be one of the most interesting of the season.

—John Ross

What: Chirgilchin

When: Wednesday, September 19

Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church, Clintonville

When: purenaturemusic.com/chirlgilchin

Character Studies

Someone once remarked that science-fiction is the best outlet for exploring the black American experience, but Daniel Beaty's one-man play Emergence-See! bears witness that truth is much stranger. In an exploration of the effects of slavery on the human psyche, Beaty embodies not one or three, but 40 different characters, each representing the diversity of experiences within the African-American community. After graduating with a BA in music and English from Yale and the American Conservatory Theatre, Beaty sharpened his storytelling skills as regular on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry.

—Nikki Davis

What: "Emergence-See!"

When: Friday, October 5

Where: Roy Bowen Theatre, Campus

Phone: 614-292-2295

Site Lines

photo: "Narrow #5" by Shawn Phillip Morin

While integrating public art into the cultural fabric of the city has been a hot topic lately, the Dublin Arts Council has gone a step further with Titration. Recently installed in Coffman Park, the works of five local and national artists are featured throughout the area, a temporary, if grand gesture about the constantly changing realities in any community. Produced in materials like granite and cast glass, and ranging in size from six to 11 feet in height, Titration is the first in a series of site-specific projects that are part of the DAC's Art in Public Places program.

—Nikki Davis

What: "Titration: A New Art in Public Spaces Project"

When: Through 2008

Where: Coffman Park, Dublin

Web: dublinarts.org

Fun Guys

You might not be familiar with the sun-loving fungus Pilobolus, but if you've ever watched TV commercials, music videos or this year's Oscar ceremonies, chances are you've experienced the performance troupe's amazing shape-shifting abilities. Renowned for their ridiculously fluid athleticism and innovative choreography, Pilobolus has performed worldwide for the past three decades. Founded during a dance class on Dartmouth's campus in 1971, the seven-person troupe has itself morphed into a far-reaching, multi-pronged arts consortium, infusing a sly sense of humor into every aspect of the organization. The November performance in Columbus marks the long-awaited return of one of the modern dance world's most celebrated companies.

—Nikki Davis

What: Pilobolus

When: Thursday, November 8

Where: Palace Theatre, Downtown

Web: capa.com

September 6th, 2007