MUSEUMS

Reviews by Christopher Knight (C.K.). Compiled

by Grace Krilanovich.

Critics’ Choices

Journey: Native North AmeriFloral can Beadwork The exhibition might sound like a simple decorative display of ornamented handiwork. It is certainly that: The show features about 250 designs on mostly 19th and early 20th century moccasins, jackets and other items of clothing — some of them astonishingly beautiful. But it’s also much more (C.K.). Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mon.; ends April 26. (323) 667-2000.

William Pope.L.: Trinket The installation is technically complex but visually straightforward. It stages a variety of mechanisms that manipulate imagery. Once seen, they’re unforgettable. The egalitarian promise of the American flag’s symbolism is easily acknowledged, but what makes the sculpture great is its layered depth (C.K.). Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., L.A. Mon. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; ends June 28. (213) 626-6222.

Brian Weil, 1979-95: Being in the World This traveling retrospective presents an artist of distinctive intellect and determined skill, if modest artistic achievement. Weil was not prolific, partly because of the lengthy immersion he undertook once a subject was chosen and partly because he died young. A certain sameness marks the five bodies of work on view (C.K.). Santa Monica Museum of Art, 2525 Michigan Ave. Bergamot Station G1, Santa Monica.; ends April 18. (310) 586-6488.

J.M.W. Turner: Painting Set Free The exhibition is — remarkably enough — a first: According to the fine catalog there has never before been a museum show focused specifically on Turner’s late career. Those are the years when he became the artist we know and most admire today (C.K.). Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. Tue.-Fri. and Sun., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mon.; ends May 24. (310) 4407300.

Charles Gaines: Gridwork 1974-1989 Gaines’ drawings from the 1970s and 1980s are not for the faint of heart. Encountering all those big sheets of graph paper filled in with row upon row of tiny little numbers and Latin alphabet letters has the immediate appeal of undergoing an IRS audit. Do not despair. Plunge in. Things will soon, well, begin to add up (C.K.). Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Tue.-Wed., Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mon.; ends May 24. (310) 443-7000.

Continuing

Apparitions: Frottages and Rubbings

From 1860 to Now The exhibition is billed as the first museum survey of the genre. Two-thirds of the works were made since 1960, including provocative examples by Roy Lichtenstein and Louise Bourgeois. There could have -- and probably should have -- been even more. But the show’s recent work amply demonstrates artists’ ongoing interest in the technique (C.K.). Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Tue.Wed., Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mon.; ends May 31. (310) 4437000.