THU 5/26
The Broward Art Guild has never been in the business of dumbing down its exhibits to suit the overly sensitive or intellectually bankrupt. But when the guild rolls out its annual taboo-testing exhibit "Controversy," the envelope is not just pushed -- it's run through a shredder.
"The exhibit captures the pulse of the current time," Executive Director Susan Buzzi notes. "It's an exact reflection of what's going on. And it's not always pretty."
"Controversy" features works by tricounty artists who dive headfirst into the stickiest of subjects: politics, religion, sexuality, and Ronald McDonald (OK, so that last one's kinda greasy). Needless to say, Bush and Cheney are common subjects. Alfred Phillips' Yahoo! depicts the president bent over an oil barrel with a Saudi royal pumping him full of, um, you know. Other humorous jabs at Bush include Gerard Delaney's Liberty or Death? (shown left). But Dubya's not the only one on trial here; the icons of the fast-food industry are parodied in Brass' False Idols, a series of portraits (Ronald, Wendy, Colonel Sanders, and Burger King) flanked by religious imagery. It's about time someone supersized communion wafers. "Controversy" runs through June 10 at the Broward Art Guild (530 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale). Call 954-523-4824, or visit www.browardartguild.org. -- Jason Budjinski
Bubba!
Maroone shows some Gump-tion
SAT 5/28
Now that you've seen Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, what's the point, right? It's all over. No more Jedi mind tricks. No more aspects of Anakin Skywalker to explore. And worst of all, that stupid Darth Vader costume put you behind on your rent. Perhaps your next movie should be a free one, then. Fortunately, it's time again for another Maroone Moonlight Movie, and this month's film isn't about kids and dogs. This one's got war. It's got sex. It's got drugs. It's got a slow guy naively stumbling through some of America's most defining moments. Yep, Forrest Gump shows Saturday at Huizenga Plaza (corner of Andrews Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale), where there won't be a line full of costumed kooks waiting out front. Mama always said George Lucas needed a break. The screening starts at 7 p.m. Call 954-760-9898. -- Jason Budjinski
Two-faced?
More like ten-faced
THU 5/26
Balcomb Greene wore many hats throughout his long and accomplished life -- philosophy student, psychology student, English teacher, fiction writer -- and that was before he started painting. The impetus that put a paintbrush in Greene's hand? His marriage to sculptor Gertrude Glass. But it was the work of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian that influenced Greene to join the world of abstractionism. Greene's is a geometrical style of abstractionism. Some shapes have jagged edges; some are fluid and less defined; and others, like Walking Woman (shown right), fall somewhere in between. "The Many Faces of Balcomb Greene: 1929-1985" (see Michael Mills' review in Art) runs through June 19 at the Boca Raton Museum of Art (501 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, Boca Raton). Call 561-392-2500. -- Jason Budjinski
Dino 3000
SAT 5/28
Mechanical bulls are passé -- ever worked a mechanical dinosaur? Well, now's your chance as "Prehistoric Park: Return of the Dinosaurs" opens Saturday at the Museum of Discovery and Science (401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale). The exhibit allows you to control the movements of five life-sized robots. But that doesn't mean you can make 'em eat the other visitors. Call 954-713-0930. -- Jason Budjinski
