Next week, Todd James, the artist formerly known as graffiti writer REAS, opens a New York solo show focused on “the sinful truths of American Life.” With anthropomorphic killing machines, busty blondes and bloody burgers cavorting among coffins, James’ surreal scenes appear overtly political at first glance, but are intended only as a visual exploration of the tactical rhetoric employed by the media and government. Hopefully, the exhibition, “Make My Burden Lighter,” will offer the artist some mental release as thesee “celebratory scenes of massive global chaos” are unveiled at Gering & López Gallery.

“Make My Burden Lighter,” January 15 – February 20, Gering & López Gallery, 730 5th Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets

This past Friday, “The New Yorkers,” an exhibition of several dozen five borough based-artists opened at V1 Gallery in Copenhagen. Curated by Todd James, also known as REAS, the show is self-admittedly difficult to categorize: “A common denominator for the city, the artists and the works is defiance against generalizations and predictability.” In this vain, James brings together everything from paintings to installations by artists such as FUTURA, KAWS, Barbara Kruger, Steve Powers, Aurel Schmidt, and Dash Snow. Click the images above for a selection from the online preview.