Michael Alan, "The Rise of Artistic Tradition"

These small works on paper by Alan dissolve figures and other representational elements into abstracted, allover jumbles of line and color that resembles a cartoonish mix of Roberto Matta and Hans Bellmer—with bits of more contemporary painters like Carroll Dunham and Nicola Tyson thrown in for good measure. Whatever sources may or may not be influencing the artist, he creates a lively combustion of form and composition. A one-night-only performance/installation—in which viewers are invited to "zone out, draw, zen, be one" takes place Aug 8 beginning at 6pm for $20.