Notions of visibility at CAM; Akiko Kotani's crocheted waterfall and four shows at DFAC

INTO THE LIGHT: THE VISIBLE TURN

USF's Contemporary Art Museum will open another thought-provoking, conversation-starting exhibition on Friday. "The Visible Turn: Contemporary Artists Confront Political Invisibility" addresses the current disenfranchisement of people and ideas through four major works, emphasis on major. Jorge Tacla has painted a monumental, 26-foot "portrait" of the Syrian city Homs in ruins. Karolina Sobecka addresses climate change by reconstructing historical clouds. Tavares Strachan's installation, 130,000 Years, takes on the concept of invisibility with an 18-channel video work and a 2,000 page Encyclopedia of Invisibility. And Bosco Sodi's Muro, a wall of clay bricks made by Mexican migrants, will be erected and then dismantled by museum guests. Beyond the exhibition's political aspects of the topic of invisibility is Marcel Duchamp's belief that making art is making the invisible visible. Before the opening reception from 7-9 p.m., an artist conversation between Tacla and curator-at-large Christian Viveros-Fauné takes place from 6-7. On Jan. 24, Sodi will erect his wall with a public performance from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., followed by its dismantling by the public from 3-8 p.m. A reception with remarks happens from 6-8. All events are free, but it costs $5 to park. 3821 Holly Drive, Tampa. ira.usf.edu.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS: AKIKO KOTANI

Akiko Kotani is a Gulfport-based artist often working in fiber arts, but with very much her own aesthetic. Whether hand-stitched "drawings" on paper, incredible weavings or ambitious installation pieces, Kotani mainly uses a serene black-and-white color palette and a minimalist style. That is, if you can call 20-foot-long installation pieces minimal. "The Waterfalls of Milford Valley," on display at HCC's Ybor City Campus Art Gallery, is more than 20 feet of crocheted plastic, inspired by a location in New Zealand. Kotani has traveled extensively, which informs her work in the sense that she likes to make tangible the impressions that places make on her. The installation cascades just as a waterfall does and pools on the ground. An opening reception happens Thursday from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with a gallery talk at 6:15. The installation remains on display through Jan. 31. Free. 2204 N 15th St., Tampa. (813) 253-7674. hccfl.edu/yborgallery.

ARTY QUARTET: WINTER SHOWS AT DFAC

The Dunedin Fine Art Center opens its winter shows Friday. They have a great mix of work.

"Jack Ellis" showcases the local artist's large-scale, incredibly intricate watercolors. On display through Feb. 24.

"Laura Waller: Rockland, Tampa, NYC" features the artist's paintings of working waterfronts and urban landscapes. Through March 1.

"Electromagnetic Narratives: The Saint Helices Series" are David Frye's paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures that explore what lies beyond Earth's atmosphere. Through March 1.

"One Day Tampa Bay" is a juried selection of photographs all taken on the same day in 2018. Through March 1.

An artist's talk happens from 6-7 p.m. Friday, followed by an opening reception until 9. 1143 Michigan Blvd. $5, free for members. (727) 298-3322. dfac.org.