Brave New Worlds

While inspired by Aldous Huxley's tale of a crushingly dull utopia, "Brave New Worlds" doesn't offer much sloganeering—or any of the clichés that tend to dilute topical art. The exhibition's 24 artists (from 17 countries) often let the situations they portray speak completely for themselves, as in Yto Barrada's Public Park Sleepers. Regardless, the C-print's simple depiction of a figure curled under a black tarp on an expanse of lawn offers eloquence galore, along with way too much commonality for comfort: The photographer could have shot the anonymous homeless person almost anywhere in the world. Which is exactly the point. Check www.walkerart.org for a full schedule of related events, including a free Brave New Art panel talk 7:00 p.m. Thursday.
Oct. 4-Feb. 17, 2007