In photographer A.O. "Malek" Matesun's studio is a photo of a woman staring right into the camera, defiant but also worn-out and wasted. Even if you didn't know that Matesun is putting on an exhibition of photos from sub-Saharan Africa, so overwhelmed by AIDS, it would not be difficult to guess that the woman is from South Africa and dying from the disease: At only 17, she looks like she has already weathered a lifetime of bitterness (Matesun, with knowing irony, calls the photo "A Gift From My Boyfriend"). It is hard to know how to confront a photograph of someone suffering. What do you do with it, emotionally? You may see Matesun's photos and merely think they are sad, but he considers his work a mission: He returns to Africa to shoot more photos on December 3. The exhibit's opening is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. December 1 at the Janette Kennedy Gallery, South Side on Lamar, 1409 S. Lamar St., as part of a World AIDS Day benefit that also features an auction, raffles, food and drinks. Admission is $10. Call 214-682-1949. --Claiborne Smith
A New Nieto
11/26
Dallas' visual arts scene ranges from the huge Dallas Museum of Art to the tiny, temporary exhibitions set up in some creative type's living room--and galleries of all sizes are represented in between. But there's always room for a new kid on the block. With that philosophy, Nieto Fine Art, whose featured artists include John Nieto, Chris Lattanzio and Ken Mudich, throws its palette into the ring. Gallery owners Renay and Anaya Nieto open their doors at 10 a.m. November 26 at 3699 McKinney Ave. in the West Village. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Admission is free. Call 214-520-6183. --Stephanie Durham
Champagne Dreams
12/1
Ah, caviar, pâté and champagne--the triptych of luxury living. These are not the delicacies of the middle class, with their fried finger foods and cheese logs--and that's too bad. Because caviar, champagne and pâté are soooo delicious. But for those of us whose upbringing didn't involve cotillion and etiquette class, this kind of hoity-toity food can be a little overwhelming. Do you prefer duck liver or salmon mousse? Black or red caviar? Fortunately, the smarties at Whole Foods are here to hold our hands as we baby-step our way to true bourgeois style. On December 1, the Whole Foods at 4100 Lomo Alto Drive hosts a holiday tasting party with some of the store's best caviar, pâtés and champagne. It's a great way to test-run these decadent treats before your holiday party. Hey, if you don't know what you're serving, might as well buy jalapeño poppers. But for those with more sophisticated palates, the class costs $15. Call 214-520-7993. --Sarah Hepola
