Psychedelicized

You will be speechless. Trying to describe the work of Baltimore-based multimedia artist Jimmy Joe Roche in words — mind-blowing, psychedelic, weird, hilarious, frightening, creepy — won’t help, either. But perhaps American Ectoplasm, the title of a new show by Roche opening today at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design’s Philip J. Steele Gallery, 1600 Pierce Street in Lakewood, comes close.

Even Steele gallery director Cortney Stell doesn’t quite know what to make of Roche, whose vision, played out in a combination of video art, monumental hand-cut paper sculptures and interactive computer programs, is visually out of this world, with an uncomfortable, cut-to-the bone satirical message, to boot. “He’s super-hip, young, contemporary, very now, and honestly a little bit shocking,” says Stell, who likes to run a wide gamut of exhibitions.

Bring an open mind to tonight’s reception from 6 to 9 p.m.; an after-party follows at 10 p.m. at Rhinoceropolis, 3553 Brighton Boulevard. American Ectoplasm remains on view through July 24 (the gallery is open daily, except Sundays); go to www.rmcad.edu/gallery-exhibitions/philip-j-steele-gallery or call 303-753-6046. For more about Jimmy Joe Roche, visit www.jimmyjoeroche.com.

June 18-July 24, 2010