The Great Society

Opening reception Fri., Aug. 24, 5:30-8 p.m., runs through Sept. 29, Esther M. Klein Art Gallery, University City Science Center, 3600 Market St.

by Patrick Rapa

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Are they disenfranchised? Disillusioned? Or is there a message of hope somewhere within the paint, video and reassembled electronic bits that constitute Esther M. Klein Art Gallery's dystopian "The Great Society" exhibition? Curated by Daniel Fuller, this mixed-media group show intends to explore "the unfulfilled dreams of utopia." So, yes, there's a big bright inferno raging on an urban street in one photograph (see Claire Fontaine's a fire is a fire is not a fire) and other images of things torn asunder. But there's also chance for giddy delusion, as in Joulia Strauss's five-minute video installation, The Earth is Flat — Bob Ross is NOT Dead. Throw in European art-pranksters Eva and Franco Mattes (aka 0100101110101101.org) and gadget hybridizer J Shih Chieh Huang and ... I wish you well in finding a singular message in the wonderfully unrestrained "The Great Society." But know this: Nobody calls anything great with a straight face anymore.

Opening reception Fri., Aug. 24, 5:30-8 p.m., runs through Sept. 29, Esther M. Klein Art Gallery, University City Science Center, 3600 Market St., 215-966-6188, www.kleinartgallery.org.