Oh, the Urbanity

Sep 9, 2009 at 4:00 am

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Nature's got beauty in spades, but urban areas certainly don't want for striking imagery either, though their splendor is mostly of the manmade variety. Of course, the flip side of every attractive, postcard-perfect cityscape is the real city and its inherent decay, which can be starkly upsetting yet strangely beautiful. California artist Kirk Pedersen captures this duality with his Urban Asia series, which opens the fall season at the Atrium Gallery (4728 McPherson Avenue; 314-367-1076 or www.atriumgallery.net). Pedersen's paintings and photographs taken throughout the metropolises of Asia document everyday life and the passage of time — plainly obvious with every torn flyer and bit of grime — showing the impact that humanity forces upon every space we call home. Urban Asia opens with a free reception from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 11, and remains on view Wednesday through Sunday until Sunday, November 8.
Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: Sept. 11. Continues through Nov. 8, 2009