Beat box

Every generation spawns them—those inherently creative and untamed visionaries who unabashedly slash new paths across artistic disciplines. In the ’50s, they were the beats, famous for their self-created bohemian world, which reverberated with poetry and jazz. George Herms escaped the nearby Woodland farmlands for the University of California, Berkeley, but was enticed by San Francisco’s North Beach scene. There, the staccato cadence of beat poetry emerged in Herms’ visual scenes, featured through August 14 in Pandora’s Box: The Sculpture of George Herms at the Crocker Art Museum, at 216 O Street. Utilizing found objects, Herms’ work exemplifies decay and wear as nuances of beauty. Water-stained paper, rusted springs, an old pair of jeans, a juxtaposition of texture and color seasoned with an occasional splash of words—all serve as intriguing metaphors in Herms’ communiqués. Call (916) 264-5423 for more information.