Continuing

Alex Israel at the Huntington Sending pink and blue color up the walls is pretty, if artistically simplistic. The installation summons creaky Hollywood clichés, plus clichés about creaky Hollywood clichés. And so it goes throughout the seven- month exhibition of shallow mixed- media works inserted here and there throughout the grand house ( C. K.). Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Mon., Wed.- Fri. noon- 4: 30 p. m., Sat.- Sun. 10: 30 a. m.- 4: 30 p. m.; ends July 11. ( 626) 4052100. Matthew Barney: River of Fundament If “River of Fundament” — both sculptural and cinematic — finally feels sluggish and inert, it is not for want of trying. The New York- based artist is nothing if not ambitious. His dedication to taking on big themes using a visually inventive gusto is to be admired. ( The ensemble took seven years to complete.) This time, though, the project got away from him ( 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 Jan. 18. ( 213) 626- 6222. Hard Edged: Geometrical Abstraction and Beyond The exhibition is

more a sketch than a finished show, absent a catalog and a fully developed thesis. But it is provocative. And the abundance of compelling work, including a surprise or two, makes it well worth seeing ( C. K.). California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, L. A. Tue.- Sat. 10 a. m.- 5 p. m., Sun. 11 a. m.- 5 p. m.; ends April 24. ( 213) 744- 7432.

Rain Room Let’s stipulate at the outset that “Rain Room” will be a popular hit. Brainless amusement often is. This one’s got everything, starting with the cinematic “Oh, wow” factor that drives all special effects. “Rain Room” is photogenic. It’s even selfieready, thanks especially to a single bright, white theatrical spotlight that illuminates the falling water from the side ( C. K.). Los Angeles County Museum of Art ( LACMA), 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L. A. Mon.- Tue., Thu. 11 a. m.- 5 p. m., Fri. 11 a. m.- 8 p. m., Sat.- Sun. 10 a. m.- 7 p. m.; ends March 6. ( 323) 8576010. The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris A modest show of “greatest hits” from the dozen years when Harris’ wilderness landscape theme matured seeks to widen his appreciation in the United States. Unfortunately, the paintings just aren’t up to it. It isn’t that Harris is bad. He’s good — just not that good ( 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 Jan. 24. ( 310) 443- 7000.