Twin Cities' 5 must-see art shows this weekend

Above: Theater artist Robert Wilson will present a new, immersive show at the Minneapolis Institute of Art about the Qing Empire, the last imperial dynasty of China. OPENING

Power and Beauty in China's Last Dynasty

Most art exhibitions come together over a lengthy, 4-5 year span of time. But not this one. The theatrical Robert Wilson, best known for stage directing Philip Glass' five-hour opera "Einstein on the Beach" in 1976, has organized a veritable exhibition entitled "Power and Beauty in China's Last Dynasty." For the exhibition, he used only artifacts from the museum's Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) collection, creating a show that you must experience, not read about from labels. The number 2 – yin and yang, dark and light, etc. – is a the center of the exhibition concept. Read more: http://www.startribune.com/art-staged-with-a-flair-for-drama/472368293/

Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls.
When: Feb. 3-May 27. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. & Tue.-Wed.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thu.-Fri.
Tickets: $20. Capacity is limited and tickets are timed, so reservations are recommended. 1-888-642-2787 or new.artsmia.org

OPENING

Samual Weinberg's "Unpredented Flurry"

Opening reception: Friday, February 2 from 7-10 p.m.

Where: Hair & Nails Gallery (2222 1/2 E. 35th St. Minneapolis, MN 55407)

When: Thursday & Fridays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays 1-6 p.m. and by appointment

ONGOING

Giant snowflake designs at Target Field

What's big and white and snowy inside? A giant snowflake, of course. Simon Beck, aka "the snow artist," has been working on his own giant snowflake creation for the Super Bowl. It has everything to do with space, and nothing to do with sports other than Target Field is his outdoor easel, so to speak. Using only walking and snowshoes (and apparently Red Bull, which he drinks while walking around Target Field), Simon Beck creates a gigantic snowflake. His outdoor art is part of the Great Northern, which is all about celebrating and experiencing the intense cold of Minnesota winters, and is presented by Target. Read more: http://www.startribune.com/watch-an-artist-create-giant-snowflake-design-at-target-field-with-just-his-shoes/472393083/

Above: A guard armed with an ice-fishing pole stood outside the Tomb of the Unknown Minnow by artists Nicholas Maurstad, Angela Maki North and Mike Taus at the 2018 Art Shanty Projects on frozen Lake Harriet. ONGOING

Art Shanty Projects at Bde Umna/ Lake Harriet

Just when you thought ice shanties were only for fishing, well, you were wrong. This year's annual Art Shanty Projects offers 21 awesome on-ice installations, each housed in what would otherwise be known as a "dark house" or ice shanty. From the perpetual funeral of an unknown minnow to the notary public shanty where you can get declarations notarized, there's something for every lake wanderer at this weird frosty winter festival. Read more: http://www.startribune.com/go-to-the-lake-this-weekend-art-shanty-projects-offer-21-reasons-for-freezin/472182503/

When: Open weekends from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. through February 11.

ONGOING

Did someone say climate change? Did someone say Day Zero in Capetown? The answer here is yes. The exhibition "Vanishing Ice" on view now looks into the ways that the world of ice, including glaciers, icebergs and fields of ice, have impacted artists' work. It also considers how the environment is drastically changing. The ice isn't just cracking, it's disappearing. Exhibition ends May 13.