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May 25, 2005

Edward Ruiz in the Dallas Observer

Edward Ruiz in the Dallas Observer.

A cure for the summertime blues

5/28

I do not qualify as one of the girls of summer. Because I, in summer, hibernate indoors, window blinds drawn, trying to perfect a way to spin straw into gold in order to pay for my astronomical electricity bill that my little air-conditioning unit produces along with the not-quite-cool-enough air. It's just mid-May and I've already yelled at the television, chastising Troy Dungan for his forecast that listed 92 degrees as "almost hot." Almost, Troy? Almost? Are you hiding some reptilian genes? Or is that a little joke you like to do since your house probably has an industrial AC unit that keeps every room, down to the broom closet, frosty nice? Well, screw you, your AC and your bow tie, man. But you don't have to be a girl of summer, perspiration-free or capable of wearing kicky sundresses with espadrilles to enjoy Dallas artist Edward Ruiz's exhibit The Girls of Summer, which is on display 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays through June 2 at IR Gallery, 830 Exposition Ave., and during the show's reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday. Ruiz's Girls are the graceful silhouettes seen on old dress patterns, designed to show off the clothes, rather than attract the eye with their minimalist faces. They're displayed here on vintage fabrics stretched like typical canvas, bamboo and tin, and each has a sensible but Mod look from the '60s, with simple dresses that look like something a hip gal could wear today but that Mom might have made in her home ec class in high school back when she was one of the girls of summer. Call 469-951-7323 or visit www.irgallery.net. --Shannon Sutlief

Posted by Sarah Jane at May 25, 2005 04:00 PM