Twin Cities' 5 must-see art shows this weekend

OPENING

"Art at 801"

Saturday, February 24 from 6-9 p.m.

801 Washington Lofts (801 Washington Ave N)

In this eclectic show, Twin Cities artists Jaffa Aharonov, Marc Lamm, Kelley Meister and Josie Winship present new work in a variety of mediums. Aharonov's photography series offers glimpses of a haunted future. Lamm's touchable art – yes, you can touch it! – is made of wood, yet with a painterly and sculptural edge. Meister made their large-scale charcoal and pastel work in response to the Anthropocene era, when humans have irreversibly changed the climate and environment. Winship's sculptures and paintings recall a circus vibe, creating a sense of magic. Exhibition runs through May 2018. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1614752965284044/

Above: Bo Zheng, Socialism Good, 2016, plants (Alternanthera and weeds), 4 x 16 meters

OPENING

Nash Gallery at the University of Minnesota

Opening reception: Friday, Feb 23 from 7-10 p.m. in the Regis East Lobby

What is a weed? Is it an unwanted plant, a nuisance, or is it a metaphor for something else? In this fully collaborative exhibition between SEACHINA (Socially Engaged Art in Contemporary China) and the newly formed Weed Party Collective in Mpls/St. Paul, artists and scholars explore the cross-cultural politics of weeds. Bo Zheng of Hong Kong's City University and the U of M's Diane Willow work with artists Cante Suta-Francis Bettelyoun, Sayge Carroll, Reb L Limerick, Lisa Philander, Koua Yang, and Marcus Young. Ah yes: The future does "grow." Exhibition ends March 24. More info: https://cla.umn.edu/art/galleries/katherine-e-nash-gallery

OPENING

The Bibliophile as Bookbinder: "The Angling Bindings of S.A. Neff Jr."

Opening: Fri., Feb 23 from 6-9 p.m. with a film screening at 7 p.m.

What's better than a book? A book that is also an art project, of course. More than 50 years ago, a man named S.A. Neff Jr. developed a passion for trout fishing and from there on out collected more than three thousand volumes of books on the art of angling, with some texts dating back to even the 1500s. In the 1980s, he decided to become a bookbinder proper. This exhibition presents a collection of his elaborate bookbinding passions, which range from bindings with Japanese dyed paper to leather bindings with gold tooling. Exhibition ends June 3. More info: http://www.mnbookarts.org/category/upcoming-exhibitions/

Above: Nancy Julia Hicks, traced the skin along the outline, 2017, monoprint

OPENING

"I Want to Live Under You" by Nancy Julia Hicks

MCAD, Gallery 148 (2501 Stevens Ave., Mpls)

Artist performances: Fri., Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 24, 4:30 p.m.; Sat., March 3, 4:30 p.m.; and March 9, 7:30 p.m.

Artist Nancy Julia Hicks' work explores the violence of seemingly benign, everyday architectural elements. How do they embody and perpetuate white supremacy, colonialism, and imperialism? She explores the answers through printmaking, installation and performance. Exhibition runs through March 9. More info: https://mcad.edu/event/i-want-live-under-you

Above: Czuko Williams, the living room

OPENING

PRAXIS Gallery (2600 E 26^th St., Mpls)

Reception: Friday, February 23 from 6-9 p.m.