Critic's Choice

Mini-reviews of current exhibits by Advertiser art critic Virginia Wageman

"Biennial of Hawai'i Artists" (Contemporary Museum, through Aug. 12; 526-1322) — Six artists are showcased: Ben Kikuyama (a full-room installation that invites the viewer to embellish a story), Hugh Russell (close-up photos of soap), Suzanne Saylor (sunny photos of grave sites), Masami Teraoka (brashly satirical paintings dealing with contemporary issues), Kaori Ukaji (stunning all-over black drawings) and Fae Yamaguchi (a playful puppet video).

"Francis Haar: The Japan Years" (Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, through July 15; 945-7633) — Photographs from a master document the 20 years he lived in Japan, 1940 to 1960. Haar's black-and-white prints are exquisite examples of the genre.

"Tropical Energy: Recent Ceramic Sculptures and Drawings by Jun Kaneko" (Honolulu Academy of Arts, extended to Aug. 12; 532-8700) — Grand ceramic sculptures are installed throughout the museum, several at the front entrance. A wall of ceramic tiles, titled "Honolulu Wall," is a masterpiece of color and pattern.

"Bamboo Masterworks" (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through Sunday; 532-8700) — Beautiful bamboo baskets from the Lloyd Cotsen Collection are associated with the Japanese tea ceremony.

"Korean Fashion" (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through Oct. 28; 532-8700) — The opening of the academy's new Korean Gallery is celebrated with a splendid showing of textiles from the Ewha Women's University Museum in Seoul.