Eyewitness Reports

Genocide isn't a pretty subject for an art exhibit or anything else, but it's one that can be faced from unexpectedly positive viewpoints. Curator Georgina Kolber proves that with dual exhibitions opening today at the Mizel Museum: The Dead Weight of Complacency, a series of educational panels exploring the nature and history of genocide, and 10 Glocal Artists Interpret Genocide, a display of works by local artists who've traveled to the far corners of the earth and experienced the consequences of genocide firsthand.

"The main intent of this exhibit is to approach the subject without sensationalizing it," Kolber says, "instead concentrating on celebrating the strength and resilience of survivors and themes of memory, loss, survival and perseverance."

The artists of Glocal, a socially conscious group drawn together by painter Lee Lee, address that challenge in a variety of mediums: Thomas Carr, for instance, created a stunning series of layered photo montages of abandoned Native American battlefields; Jonathan Moller photographed Guatemalan exhumation sites; and Michelle Torrez painted portraits of refugees she saw in her travels to Darfur. Several of the artists will discuss their experiences tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at an opening reception; the shows continue through April 27.

The Mizel Museum is at 400 South Kearney Street; for details and information about related educational programs, call 303-394-9993 or visit www.mizelmuseum.org.