FRIDAY

'American Splendor'

Beyond its military might and Hollywood glitz, the United States arguably dominates the world in roadside kitsch. Sure, there are other contenders for the title: Think Bollywood billboards and German garden trolls. But for authentic, oversized, drive-by kitsch, We the People have an edge. Photojournalist Rich Frishman, whose pictures have had their moments on the covers of Life, Time and other publications, has an eye for the creatively colorful concoctions that line American highways. In "American Splendor," he presents about 25 images — each up to 4 feet tall and 8 feet wide — of tacky grandeur from the Big Fish Supper Club near Bena, Minn., to the Bible-thumping slogans covering "Salvation Mountain" outside Niland, Calif. Typically he combines dozens, even hundreds, of photos with "postproduction" techniques that enhance details, adjust light and shadow, or insert people and objects to enhance effects and ramp up concepts. (Artist talk 5-6 p.m. Fri.; opening reception 6:30-9 p.m. Fri., free. Ends May 4. Mpls Photo Center, 2400 N. 2nd St. 612-643-3511 or www.mplsphotocenter.com.) Mary Abbe

SATURDAY

'Aftereffects: A Natural History'

Whether it's a video of hermit crabs burrowing into her braided hair, or the interior of a 1976 AMC Pacer that has been overgrown with oyster mushrooms, the work of Minneapolis artist Kate Casanova has the recurring theme of humankind's effect on the natural world. In "Aftereffects," she explores the impermanence of nature through archival prints depicting after-images of fungal spores, and time-lapse video clips of mushroom growth. Her hand-cut paper collages display resin casts of natural ephemera (mushrooms, crystals and caterpillars) that appear like fantastical floating worlds. (Free opening reception 7-10 p.m. Sat. Ends April 11. Kolman & Pryor Gallery, Northrup King Building, 1500 NE. Jackson St., Studio 395, Mpls. www.kolmanpryorgallery.com.) Jahna Peloquin