CLOSING SOON

'Guy Tillim: Avenue Patrice Lumumba'

Mostly the post-colonial world is a picture of decay as the once-grand outposts of European empires crumble under neglect, civil war, dust, mold and jungle vines. The sociopolitical picture isn't pretty, but the gritty reality is compelling in more than 40 photos that South African photographer Guy Tillim presents as big snapshots of Africa today. The former photojournalist took the images in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mozambique. They are large (3 feet tall and more than 4 feet wide) and their psychological scope has a strange, melancholy beauty as civil servants and others -- refugees, warlords, the poor, the struggling, the aspiring middle class -- occupy and repurpose the homes, offices and apartment towers of their country's colonial past. (Ends Jan. 6. Free. Weisman Art Museum, 333 East River Pkwy., Mpls. Closed Dec. 31-Jan. 1. 612-625-9494 or www.weisman.umn.edu.) MARY ABBE

CLOSING SOON

'China's Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor's Legacy'

Buried for centuries, the first soldiers in the terra cotta army of China's first emperor emerged to international astonishment more than 30 years ago. More than 7,000 of them have been dug up since. A kneeling archer, cavalry officers, horses and several generals from this vast military complex -- all recently excavated -- have spent the past two months in Minneapolis and will return to their homeland soon. With them are gold sword hilts, bronze bells and life-size water birds (a crane, a swan, two geese) plus bits of armor, weapons, ancient chariots, architectural fragments from palace complexes, and other goods necessary for life in the afterworld. Organized especially for Minnesota audiences, the exhibition includes maps and background that bring the world of ancient China to life again. (Ends Jan. 20, $18-$20. Extended hours begin Jan. 8. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. 612-870-3000 or www.artsmia.org.) M.A.