'Attractive' roommates collaborate for art show

What do you call a mixture of bananas and mayonnaise in a jar with a mock-up of an actual mayonnaise label? \nAt least three Bloomington residents call it art.\nThe jars of "bananaise" are just a few of many works on display throughout the weekend at the Art Hospital, 1021 S. Walnut St., with an opening reception 8 p.m. Friday. The exhibit, titled "Attractive Men Star in Popular Movie Showing in Many Theatres: The 804 South Rogers Art Event," features solo and collaborative paintings, drawings and sculptures by Bloomington residents Jeremy Kennedy, Peter Shear and Crab Jackson. The three roommates live at the address in the show's title. \nKennedy, who makes his living creating art, said his pieces -- not unlike the "bananaise" -- are often humorous, though he "likes to make pretty stuff too."\nHe finds inspiration from a variety of sources including anime and materialism, especially cell phones.\n"It's very straightforward," he said. "There's nothing really challenging about this (exhibit)."\nJackson, whose art consists primarily of ink, color pencil and marker on paper, said his pieces, sometimes inspired by photographs, also lack a sincere message -- other than a bad sense of humor.\n"I like making strange and confusing scenes," he said.\nWhile many of his solo pieces will be on display, Jackson said his collaborative pieces with Kennedy are especially worth seeing.\n"No matter what I do, if he adds something to it, it's 10 times better," he said.\nThe title of the exhibit was inspired by a newspaper headline published in the Indiana Daily Student that hangs on the artists' refrigerator. While they chose the title mostly for its satire, Kennedy said it's fitting because he and his roommates are good-looking, too, he said wryly.\n"We have girlfriends all the time," he said.\nThere will also be a DJ duo performing at the opening reception, which is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Art Hospital's Web site at www.arthospital.net.