As We Liked It— Last weekend, I tried my luck with Sol Arts’ production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It , directed by Colleen McClure. Honestly, it took me a while to get into the spirit of the thing. In my experience, most Shakespeare productions in New Mexico suffer from uneven performances, and this one was no exception. I dug the music, though, both live and canned, and hot damn if Kristen Loree didn’t play a smokin’ Rosalind.This production is set in the wild, wild West, which, suprisingly, turns out to be a very good idea. Loree starts out well enough, but once she dresses up in cowboy drag she really goes to town with this character. Both hilarious and subtle, she concocts a sharp examination of the blurred roles women and men play in a romantic relationship.Before the performance, it was announced that the operators of Sol Arts are attempting to buy the building that houses their nonprofit art space at 712 Central SE. There are few worthier causes. If you have some spare funds, send them a fat check. As You Like It runs one more weekend, Friday, July 28, and Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m., Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. $10 general, $8 students/seniors. 244-0049.
Culture Shock
Watch the Birdie— Last week I rode my bike over to Bivouac Artspace (1413 Fourth Street SW) to scope out Kris Mills’ solo sculpture show. Titled Aviary , the exhibit consists mainly of disturbing mixed media sculptures of birds, severed in two, the halves connected with coiling, pink, sinewy cords—freaky but funny stuff.The centerpiece of the show is a large birdcage topped with a woman’s armless torso. Inside the cage is a crow on a perch. The bird is taking a crap on a pair of impossibly slender lady’s shoes. Torn out pages from a book called A Good Woman line the bottom of the cage.This and all the other pieces exude an oppressive quality, but, thankfully, Mills’ bright visual style keeps the whole show relatively light and accessible. Aviary runs through the end of the month. Call 385-2717 or go to www.bivouacartspace.org for details.
