Tara Costello; Robert Roscoe: Amalgamated Hearts

While often hinting at abstraction, Tara Costello's landscapes are firmly grounded in realism—and regionalism. Yet they consistently resist mere mundane representation. Part of the artist's charm stems from her choice of media, the rest from her knack for finding the nature in herself whenever she finds herself in nature. Hoo Doo Point, a graphite-on-Venetian-plaster drawing of the titular Tower-area landmark, depicts northern Minnesota's spooky side in tones no camera could nail. Whether the light is coming or going doesn't matter nearly as much as the spirits frolicking, almost imperceptibly, in and around Lake Vermillion. On the surface, Robert Roscoe's photos have little in common with his exhibition-mate's work; the practicing architect focuses on details of distinctly urban settings. But the artists share an aptitude for capturing essences of place and forces of nature. Roscoe digs decay: The dirt and old paint on the interior brick in Window Opening at Warehouse Rehab is just as alluring as the inlay work on a building glimpsed through the glassless portal. With pairings this considered, Rosalux's member artists might want to think about opening a bistro—on the side, of course. Though the show opens Wednesday, the big opening reception is 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday, October 5.
Oct. 2-31, 2007