Gut Reaction

Truly great art should speak to the soul in a profound way; it should stir within the human heart deep feelings and strong convictions. One should be unable to turn away from great art, mesmerized by the sheer power of its content and execution, which should come together in perfect synchronization to convey a cohesive message. Sadly, that phrasing also describes grocery-store tabloid magazines, which arouse my feelings of deep uggh-itude for our voyeuristic society. And Jonas Brothers records, which strengthen my convictions that manufactured pap is offensive. And Perez Hilton's blog, from which I cannot look away even though he calls thin women fat all day long. So the latest exhibition at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary is probably a good antidote. Uber-political, hyper-critical artists Laray Polk, Simeen Ishaque and Sasha Dela explore issues in gender, consumerism and other hot-button topics favored by lovers of Marshall McLuhan and Noam Chomsky through their respective artwork. The show runs Saturday through October 10 at the MAC, 3120 McKinney Ave. Admission is free, though there is a suggested donation. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Visit the-mac.org.
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Starts: Sept. 6. Continues through Oct. 10, 2008