Culture worthy of your calendar

If we credit Picasso with the original depiction of the four-dimensional cube on the artist’s canvas, then we may thank the lyrical work of American painter Tony Robbin for bringing that concept into the computer age. “Tony Robbin: A Retrospective” opens at the Orlando Museum of Art on Saturday, July 30, and runs through Oct. 30. Robbin “explores” four-dimensional objects on canvas and in sculptures, resulting in vibrant works that are complex layers of geometric forms. The exhibit includes 25 paintings, works on paper, a sculpture and video animations. Each work invites the viewer into Robbin’s world while offering the joy of discovery to those who linger long enough to follow the colorful, multi-dimensional “road-maps” he presents. “Art based on geometry is expected to be dry with only primary colors — who wrote those rules?” Robbin said.

The OMA is located in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park at 2416 N. Mills Ave. Parking is free. Call 407-896-4231 or visit omart.org

Mad Cow’s ‘Understudy’

For those who enjoy a witty look “behind the scenes” at the comic absurdities of the world of theater, the Mad Cow Theatre presents “The Understudy” by Theresa Rebeck.

“The Understudy” introduces us to Harry, played by Josh Geohagan, who is hired to “back up” the lead in a Kafka play on Broadway. (Kafka on Broadway is a leap of faith!) Jake, Brian Brightman — the lead in the play within the play — is a Hollywood action hero out to “prove himself” as a serious actor, and coming between them is the stage manager Roxanne, Michele Feren, who was — at one time — engaged to Harry. A Hollywood actor, a Broadway setting, a jilted bride-groom and Kafka thrown in for spice mean the resulting collision of characters provides us with a smart new comedy willing to poke fun at the world of theater.

“The Understudy” will be performed from Aug. 5 through Aug. 28 at 105 S. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

If Andy Warhol could do it …

Orlando artists Parker Sketch and M. Scott Morgan will fill Gallery Q (inside The Center at 946 N. Mills Ave.) with “Trash” for the month of August! In a tongue-in-cheek homage to Andy Warhol (who elevated “trash” to an art form), the Trash pieces are created from discards. Works range from flattened paint cans to vinyl LPs “melted” to create bowls. Parker Sketch’s artwork is painted on actual trash such as used screen doors or paint cans. While many pieces are “traditional” in that they are painted on canvas, those paintings are of banana peels, beer cans and apple cores. The work has a pop art feel, and the artist presents them in a context of fun.

M. Scott Morgan discovered a talent for building set dressing and props for the theater. Scott’s approach to Trash comes from a 25-year-long career that has forced him to be a resourceful prop master, repurposing found items from thrift stores and garage sales. Where most people see trash, Scott sees potential, saying, “One man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure.”

The opening reception will be held on Aug. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Center. Call 407-228-8272.

More Sounds of Summer

The Orlando Philharmonic’s popular Sounds of Summer Series continues with “Hornscapes” on Monday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. The sheer enjoyment of this series is in music programming that ranges from the serious to the not-so-serious. Other music includes J. S. Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue,” “Wagner’s “Tannhauser Quartet” and Anton Reicha’s “Trio for Natural Horns.”

The performance will take place in the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Josh Garrick is a writer, photographer, educator, and fine art curator. He is a member of the Curatorial Council for the Museum of Florida Art. Garrick can be reached at [email protected] or 407-522-3906.