Spin Art

Remember whirligigs? Those wooden yard figures whose arms spun like crazy–often with a familiar creak–when the wind picked up? They were pivotal to the seasons of childhood spent outdoors, confined to the backyard or “three houses either way” if you got to play in the front. I don’t know any child who hasn’t tried to mimic one. Even Phoebe on Friends ran like a whirligig. What more cultural relevance do you need? Fine then. How about Darryl Lauster’s exhibition Americana? The Houston/Arlington artist uses the traditionally whimsical whirlies to reference landmarks in American history–specifically in the 20th century. Owning topics from a decommissioned Hollywood film to desegregation to Katrina, Lauster’s whirligigs stand in the Barry Whistler Gallery (2909-B Canton St.), waiting for a bit of a breeze to bring them to life. Though, to be fair, Lauster’s works are lively enough sans animation. Americana runs noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, through April 11. Visit barrywhistler.com.

Wednesdays-Saturdays, 12-5 p.m. Starts: March 7. Continues through April 11, 2009