Art in the Garden - Garfield Park Conservatory - June 9, 2004 - 2 stars

Scattered through the lush tropical setting of the conservatory, pieces displayed are mostly accomplished, but don't meld with the escapist environment. Extreme juxtapositions reign. An assembled metal sculpture of a flamingo by Amanda Keller with its Honda gas tank, Chevy front fender body and flu pipe neck sticks out like a sore thumb. The work doesn't quite match the setting. Functional, decorative, original, local items intended for a garden setting would be better placed in a Midwestern woodland backyard than this Indianapolis oasis. Of note were drawings by Jason Kishell on bleached wood panels that were a combination of naturalist's studies and sci-fi fantasy. Alan Reinhard's pebble and tile mosaic tables were beautifully envisioned. Work by Ruth Stoner, C. David Schumaker, Randy Johnson, Jolee Rene Chartrand and Kevin L. Houppert are also on View. Art featured in this show will be for sale. June 13. Through June 18, 2004; 317-327-7221. -Mary Lee Pappas