Chris Larson

Larson is Minnesota’s answer to Matthew Barney. Both Yale art school alumni subject their not-unattractive physiques to certain trials; more importantly, each seems to operate from an alternate reality that makes full sense only to him. (We need more artists like this.) But where Barney is just plain out there, Larson’s world takes cues from the primitive, the rural, even the medieval. On view is a new video featuring one of his cringe-inducing machine-sculptures, as well as a new, untitled work that seems a bit of a departure. Built entirely from fragrant raw pine, it’s a spectacular sculptural tableau of a spaceship crashing into a one-room shack. It resonates with a host of dualities, not the least of which is admirable craftsmanship placed in the service of spontaneous destruction. Plus it also just looks really cool. 1021 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis; (612) 872-7494