RECOMMENDED The Buckeye State is renowned for college football and being a blip on the map, but Ohio also has a rich history of civil unrest. The state acts as a “metaphor for the testing ground of democracy.” Instead of acquiescing to counterculture, the artists in the group show demonstrate that progression is needed. Sam Durant’s nine photos in “Rust Never Sleeps” focuses on the Kent State shooting in 1970. Rodney McMillian’s video “The Great Society” pontificates about ways to improve society with education and ridding of pollution. Olga Koumoundouros’ battered lamps are attached with a pole impaling burlap sacks, lambskin and chains that wrap around the rafters signifying oppression and struggle. Andrea Bowers graphite piece takes info from AlterNet on a woman who died in Iraq demonstrating the affect of war on civilians. The most interesting work is David Hullfish Bailey’s bales of straw display. He stacks the straw supposedly to resemble a revolutionary stage used in theater. Some of the pieces are perplexing, the political agenda of the show isn’t that evident and the use of Ohio is a bit misleading, but the show does evoke some thoughts on the current and past political landscapes in our country. (Garin Pirnia) Through January 5 at Gahlberg Gallery, College of DuPage
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