Opening Reception: April 25, 6-9 pm

Parts Per Million, Jim Houser’s latest installation at SPECTOR reflects both the science and poetry in the artist’s work. The science is the small pieces in his individual paintings and larger installation, which appear chaotic and random, but on close study have the organization and preciseness of an electrical circuitry board. The poetry is the love of words and the rhythm of their repetition.

Houser, who is currently showing his work nationally and internationally, is known for his acrylic paintings of icons, playful animals, and cryptic text. His newer work is filled with images and writings of phenomena and nature like clouds, force fields, and wind. In this installation they are presented as small sculptures, hook rugs, and paintings on canvas and directly on the walls. These parts are presented in a larger environment (million), a map of interlocking ideas.

This show is also an introduction to Houser’s raw materials. In this case, raw materials meaning the people, books and other artists who influence his work. There is a hand bound, limited edition homemade catalogue created by Houser that serves as a sourcebook for some of the text and imagery within his work.

In the rear gallery there is a group show curated by the artist. The show includes a dozen or so of Houser’s inspirations, including Chris Johansson, Ben Woodward, Lori D, Isaac Lin, and Ed Templeton.