The night Lisa Anne Auerbach's “Spells” opened at Gavlak Gallery, two girls in yellow shirts and white gloves were charged with turning the pages of the 5-foot-tall American Magazines the artist had laid out on white tables. One magazine features photos and descriptions of churches; another features photos of psychics' storefronts. In both books, signage, the way churches and psychics announce themselves, is a big deal. It's also a big deal in the sweater paintings, linen canvases that Auerbach has knitted into with wool. They pull together slogans and insults (“Embrace Uncertainty, “Eat the Rich,” “Go Fuck Yourself”). That these generic messages have been labored over, or blown way out of proportion, makes spending real time with them seem worth it. 1034 N. Highland Ave., Hlywd.; through Oct. 18. (323) 467-5700, gavlakgallery.com.

Mondays-Saturdays. Starts: Sept. 13. Continues through Oct. 18, 2014
(Expired: 10/18/14)

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