Hybrid exhibition

The concept of the pristine gallery, kept sanitized by exhibitions of "art for art's sake," loses its legs in a place like The ARTS at Marks Garage. Here, collaborations with the Chinatown neighborhood in which its situated, and with groups who work for the betterment of the community, find their footing instead.

The latest in this multidisciplinary approach to creating art is "Eco/Logic," comprising activists and neighborhood groups alongside artists to explore the theme of environmentalism.

The show, which runs through Sept. 13, features the work of 16 artists who were selected from an open call, plus 13 invited artists. It also includes the acclaimed photography of David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton, who documented rare Hawaiian species in "Remains of a Rainbow," which continues to tour the state. The collection comes courtesy of The Nature Conservancy, which also contributed to the concept of the larger exhibition.

Another facet of the exhibit is a commissioned piece by artist Mat Kubo, who, courtesy of a grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation, completed an experiment in survival without reliance on currency. Kubo traded instead; he took fruits and vegetables from his home to the neighborhood and only ate what he could hunt or trade.

In developing his skills, Kubo rekindled a kind of relationship with neighbors that reflect an earlier time, when people were forced by necessity to get to know one another.

The results of his experiences are reflected in an installation of photos of the folks he met and the items he acquired from his trades.

Rich Richardson, creative director at The ARTS at Marks Garage, says the concept of "Eco/Logic," and all the gallery's multidisciplinary projects, is "to bring the arts community around a particular issue.

"This (project) was really gratifying. We've done more than 80 shows here, and this one is one of my favorites. Using the arts for something utilitarian -- using the power of the arts to tell a story that needs to be told -- is really worthwhile."

The ARTS at Marks Garage is located at 1159 Nuuanu Ave. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. Call 521-2903.