From Fabergé to an Arboretum light show, here are 10 fall art events to delight (or perplex) the eye

Unknown Fabergé

As goldsmith to the czars and Russian nobility, Peter Carl Fabergé and his artisans created sumptuous bejeweled bibelots that continue to dazzle collectors. More than 50, on loan from private collections, will be featured in a new show including enameled cuff links that belonged to Nicholas II, a brooch and table ornaments associated with the imperial family.

Oct. 8-Feb. 26, $9 adults, Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Av. S., Mpls. 612-821-9045, tmora.org

Bruce Munro: Winter Light

British artist Munro will illuminate the grounds of the 1,200-acre Minnesota Landscape Arboretum with six light installations, some of which incorporate pulsing colors and sounds. Enlivening the wintry landscape, his magical sculptures create poetic illusions from optical fiber, acrylic pegs and prismatic rods.

Nov. 12-April 9, $12 ages 13 and up, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska. 952-443-1400, arboretum.umn.edu

Seeing 40/40

Minnesota's only design museum celebrates its 40th anniversary by showcasing 40 choice items from its 34,000-piece collection of innovative furniture, tableware, jewelry, textiles, hats, gowns, and other smartly designed, often utilitarian objects.

Sept. 10-Jan. 8, free, Goldstein Museum of Design, University of Minnesota, 1985 Buford Av., St. Paul, 612-624-7434, goldstein.design.umn.edu

Question the Wall Itself

In installations spanning the past 50 years, 23 international artists will concoct rooms and "interior architecture" that purports to critique the contemporary cultural zeitgeist. Or, as the Walker puts it, "that alter and decenter the terms of representation and power via decoy, ornamentation, copy, and void." Expect ducks.

Nov. 20-May 21, $14 adults. Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Av., Mpls.. 612-375-7600, walkerart.org

Stand Out Prints

With 73 prints and objects by 66 artists from four countries and 27 states, this promises to be one of the season's liveliest surveys of the field. Featuring both traditional and new media, in intimate and large formats, the art was picked from more than 800 entries in an open call juried by Elizabeth Wyckoff, curator of prints, drawings and photos at the St. Louis Art Museum.

Through Oct. 15, free, Highpoint Center for Printmaking, 912 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-871-1326, highpointprintmaking.org

River Perspective

Tom Maakestad and Don Schmidlapp, two of Minnesota's most talented and prolific plein-air (open air) painters, show their recent river landscapes in a complementary riverside setting. Maakestad, who lives and works in Marine on St. Croix, interprets the bluffs and banks of the St. Croix River, while Schmidlapp, who lives in Winona, focuses attention on the nearby Mississippi.

Aug. 26-Dec. 23, $7 adults, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, 507-474-6626, mmam.org

A Different Way of Seeing

As Paris rebuilt after the humiliation of the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War and devastation by the Paris Commune, a new spirit of modernity attracted artists to the city from throughout Europe. Swedish artists returned home from Paris with a "different way of seeing" that shaped the paintings, lithographs, watercolors, sculpture and other art in this unusual show. Dating from 1877-1990, the art is on loan from a private collection assembled by American expats who moved to Sweden in the 1970s.

Through Oct. 30, $10 adults, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Av. S., Mpls., 612-871-4907, asimn.org

Brick x Brick

City planners, architects, builders and artists all mark the urban environment as demonstrated in this multimedia display of paintings by Minnesotans Mike Lynch, George Morrison, Carolyn Swiszcz, Phyllis Wiener and others. Plus an installation by Rob Fischer, lithograph by Julie Mehretu, photo by Robert Polidori, sculpture by Louise Nevelson and other art primarily from the museum's collection.

Through Dec. 30, free, Minnesota Museum of American Art, 141 E. 4th St., St. Paul, mmaa.org

The Talking Cure

Multimedia to the max, this exhibition features 12 sculptures and 12 drawings by Melissa Stern paired with monologues by 12 writers that are performed by 12 actors. Plus Rebecca Krinke, artist-in-residence at the Weisman's Target Studio, has invented a participatory installation titled "What Needs to Be Said?" that hopes to boost participation in "The Talking Cure."

Sept. 3-April 30, free, Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, 333 E. River Rd., Mpls., 612-625-9494, weisman.umn.edu

A Tipping Point: Technology in Ceramics

Advances in technology and lower prices have made 3-D printers, computerized routers and other high-tech tools available to ceramic artists as well as designers and architects. New products and prototypes by seven artists and studios demonstrate the inventive options that are now possible.

Sept. 23-Nov. 6, free, Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Av. E., Mpls., 612-339-8007, northernclaycenter.org

MARY ABBE