Frye Art Museum "I Love My Time, I Don't Like My Time," recent work by Viennese artist Erwin Wurm. The depiction of children in the 19th century is the unifying theme of "Little Women, Little Men: Folk Art Portraits of Children from the Fenimore Art Museum," a collection of paintings, primarily by New England artists from that era. Also: "Klompen" is the latest kinetic sculptural installation from sound artist Trimpin featuring nearly 100 wooden clogs hanging from the ceiling connected to a computer. 704 Terry Ave., 206-622-9250, www.fryemuseum.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs., noon-5 p.m. Sun. "I Love My Time" ends Jan. 28. "Klompen" ends Jan. 21. "Time" ends Jan. 28. "Little Women" ends Feb. 4.
Museum of Flight"Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius" exhibits 50 working models based on the artist's notes and sketches, along with his written observations, illustrations, and reproductions of some of his most famous paintings. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5700, www.museumofflight.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $7.50-$14. Ends Jan. 28.
Museum of Glass "Contrasts: A Glass Primer", curated by Vicki Halper, pairs unique works in groupings that highlight differences in technique and conception. Various artists explore the properties of glass through site-specific installations in "Transparently Built." Also: "Fresh! Contemporary Takes on Nature and Allegory" juxtaposes contemporary glass art with other media. Museum of Glass, 1801 E. Dock St., Tacoma, 253-284-4750, www.museumofglass.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 8 p.m. every third Thurs.), noon-5 p.m. Sun. "Contrasts" ends Nov. 30. "Fresh!" ends Dec. 31. "Transparently" ends May 27.
Museum of History & Industry"Essential Seattle" spans 150 years of local history using images, artifacts, films, and oral histories. "Picturing the Century" features 100 years of photos of both historical and cultural fascination from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126, www.seattlehistory.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $5-$7. Ends Dec. 17.
Seattle Asian Art Museum Vik Muniz's "Reflex" shows the Mona Lisa as finger-painted in chocolate syrup. Dracula depicted in caviar. Marlene Dietrich laid out in diamonds. Portraits of kids made of sugar. In "Reflex," a 20-year survey of Brazilian-born photographer's work, the SAM presents 100 photos by the 45-year-old artist, who uses an inspired array of materials in his wry and fastidiously rendered tableaux: dirt, jewels, peanut butter, cigarette butts, hole-punch holes. Muniz makes the medium challenge the subject for control of the message. In his junk-art series he fills a room with detritus and then clears out space in the shape of forms from Goya and Caravaggio. He replicates the work of old masters in colored thread or paint chips. A bit of a punk artist in spirit, his talent, though, is wide-ranging and insightful. He demonstrates that it doesn't take much to turn a dusty icon into something unintended and new. SUE PETERS Also: In "Discovering Buddhist Art—Seeking the Sublime," nearly 100 works represent the influence of Buddhism on Asian art and culture. The wonderful array of antique snuff bottles is a highlight.Also: Tooba is a powerful, haunting allegorical video by Iranian-born artist Shirin Neshat about a woman who merges with a tree. Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect St., 206-654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs. Ongoing. "Reflex" ends Jan. 15. Tooba Ends April, 2007.
Seattle Art Museum Closed for expansion until spring 2007; the waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park is slated to open January 20, 2007. See Web site for details. 100 University St., 206-654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org.
Tacoma Art Museum. Great art is subversively hiding in grade school libraries everywhere. This fact is illustrated beautifully in "The Art of Eric Carle," a respectful and cheerful display of the beloved children's illustrator/author's work. Though the bright tissue-paper collages of Carle's 70-odd books (notably The Very Hungry Caterpillar) are already appealing in print, it's only up close that you realize how many layers are involved in each sea creature, polar bear, and strand of kelp. There's no hyperbole to Carle's comment: "I steal from the Impressionists!" Also: In "Symphonic Poem," African-American artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson uses an array of media to recount narratives in an endlessly creative folk-art style. Also: "Coloninpurple," sound-sculptor Trimpin's suspended 17-octave deconstructed purple xylophone-horn contraption is irresistible—and rather loud! If you do make a trek to TAM, these are three rather different and interesting shows. SUE PETERS Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org. $6.50-$7.50. Every third Thursday free and open until 8 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. Trimpin ends Jan. 14. Carle ends Jan. 21. Robinson ends Jan. 28.
Whatcom MuseumA writhing array of over 30 bronze sculptures by Auguste Rodin from Stanford University's Gerard B. Cantor collection has made it to Bellingham, along with the 19th-century French artist's many writings. See what drove Rodin's muse and fellow artist Camille Claudel over the edge. Worth the trip. 121 Prospect St., Bellingham, 360-676-6981, www.whatcommuseum.org. Free. Ends Dec. 10.
Wing Luke"These Walls Can Speak: Untold Stories From Three Historic Buildings" celebrates the Kong Yick Buildings, Higo, and the Eastern Hotel through history, testimony, and artifacts. 407 Seventh Ave. S., 206-623-5124, www.wingluke.org. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Dec. 10.
