Melissa Loop: 'After the End'
The lush paintings of ancient Mayan sites that artist Melissa Loop creates look like they are sweating. Or maybe it's just really hot. Either way, the heat comes through in these part-fantasy, part-realistic paintings of glorious landscapes and ancient Mayan temples and sacred sites in Central America. Loop is more interested in the paradox of visiting ancient Mayan sites of Caracol, Tikal, Edina (not Minnesota) and others, attempting to re-create an experience of spiritual transcendence all the while realizing that she is merely a tourist perpetuating a web of consumerism. The exhibit's tongue-in-cheek title is a reference to the Mayan calendar, which was completed in 2012. (8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Dec. 15. Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul. Free. 651-690-6644 or gallery.stkate.edu)
Alicia Eler
