The Voynich Manuscript, written sometime in the 1400s or 1500s, has never been read. No one knows how to decipher the mystery language it was written in, though world-class code breakers have tried. No one knows who wrote it, or why, though theories abound. The manuscript also features a number of botanical illustrations of similarly uncertain identity. Many seem to have no real-world corollary. Artists Miljohn Ruperto and Ulrik Heltoft have digitally rendered these illustrations, using scanned images of real plants and other virtual tools to make the plants look scientifically plausible and dimensional. Then they photographed the digital renderings. On view at Thomas Solomon Gallery now, the photographs are black-and-white and so seriously displayed that you might not notice right away that some leaves look like six-fingered hands, or that certain roots look like monster limbs. 27 Bernard St., Chinatown; through June 8. (323) 275-1687, thomassolomongallery.com.

Wednesdays-Saturdays. Starts: May 1. Continues through June 8, 2013

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