For his first curatorial gig for Fox Tax Gallery, John Alspach asked two artists to explore a theme just general enough to make things interesting: impermanence. The show is said to be inspired by the paintings of the vanitas movement of early 17th-century Netherlands, in which painting was done on the reverse side of the canvas. The work of John Fleischer combines overlapping abstract elements, including rotting fruits and teas, cold reflective surfaces and rough elemental forms, while Jennifer Nevitt will present her explosive, sculptural paintings made from charred wood, clay, cardboard and fur. The show will also include sound and video installations by the artists. --Jahna Peloquin

Nate Young has never shied away from provocative statements. In 2010, Young showed a video of him licking portraits of Tupac, Kayne West and himself that he had painted in chocolate, questioning how idolatry and masculinity play into the world of the young, urban black man. For his solo show, "Postracializationalism," the St. Paul artist returns to his iconic portraits of Michael Jackson and Charlton Heston, juxtaposed against California license plates with letters and numbers that suggest hidden meanings and relationships among the works. The show will include a video projection and a live performance piece by Young and poet Chaun Webster. --Jahna Peloquin

The destruction of the World Trade Center towers 10 years ago sparked a decade of wars. Artists here have responded with two exhibitions. "No Glory" showcases work by 13 international artists who focus on the "material and human costs of war" in photos, installations, paintings and other work. Participating artists are Aaron Hughes, Amado Al Fadni, Enrique Castrejon, Hiro Fukawa, Camille J. Gage, Monica Haller, Andrew Ellis Johnson, Samina Mansuri, Rocio Rodriguez, Paul Shambroom, Susanne Slavick, Elin O'Hara Slavick and Elaine Spatz-Rabinowitz. (Free opening reception 7-9 p.m. Sat. Through Oct. 1. Form + Content Gallery, 210 N. 2nd St., Mpls., www.formandcontent.org.) "Deceptive Distance" features photos, paintings, sculpture and installations by six Twin Cities women -- Harriet Bart, Laura Crosby, Vesna Kittelson, Ana Lois-Borzi, Megan Nozik Rye and Megan Vossler -- who reflect on the psychological and personal toll of perpetual war. --Mary Abbe