Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 78

G8 Albuquerque Journal ARTS CULTURE Sunday, May 18,1997 A 4-t alien uva tuiv "3rd Rock from the Sun" Season finale tonight at 7 on KOB-TV, Channel 4. to a new planet and having no life experience. It gives us a broader range of where we can go." Stewart lived in Albuquerque until he was 18 years old, and says he still has fond memories of Albuquerque and his television debut on a local program. "The first time I was ever on TV was on 'Captain Billy's Clubhouse' (KGGM-TV at the time) when I was 5 years old. I have a great deal of affection for the town and still have family there.

I try to get back to Albuquerque at least once a year." Last summer, Stewart spent time filming "McIIale's Navy," which opened in April with Tom Arnold and David Allen Grier. A fun experience, he says, but not a great movie. "It's not my cup of tea, to be honest," says Stewart, who also was in "Stargate" and "Leaving Las Vegas." "If kids like it or if it finds its audience, that's great. It was fun making a movie with a bunch of guys, running around and being on boats in Mexico. You take your chances on how things are going to turn out, and then you move on." During this summer's break, the 1982 Del Norte High School graduate doesn't have any big plans.

There are a couple of projects, but mostly he wants to relax. "I was doing a play with Laurie Metcalf, but for the most part I'm just going to.take it easy," he says. "You just get so tired during the season and we're going to be starting again in August." move on to screwing up in larger venues, not just fast food and such," he says. "I'd like him to screw up in front of major dignitaries." How long a fish-out-of-water concept like "3rd Rock" can survive as a series is not something he worries about. "In television, those questions have a way of answering themselves," Stewart says.

"We probably can get away with it longer than other people because we started so far in the hole with these people coming HARRY AND FRIENDS: French Stewart of Albuquerque, second from left, is the loony of the family In "3rd Rock from the Sun." Free Consultation, It's easy to see that passes change the way you look. And the way you wc and play. So why not free yourself from passes? Now, New Mexico's most experienced Userrefractive sureeons at Cue Albuquerque native relishes idiot role in '3rd Rock from the Sun' By Craig W. Chrissingkr For the Journal A sweeps gimmick. That's how Albuquerque native French Stewart first viewed the notion of a 3-D episode for "3rd Rock from the Sun." But then the idea grew on him.

"It's the perfect match for the show," the actor says. "Our show is so ridiculous, you can do anything. The 3-D fits well with the timbre of the show. It's going to be one of the few big sweeps events that really lives up to the hype." The 3-D episode, which serves as the season finale for "3rd Rock," airs at 7 p.m. tonight on KOB-TV, Channel 4.

Special polarized glasses for use during dream sequences are available at participating stores carrying Barq's root beer and at Little Caesar's Pizza locations. "From what I've seen, the 3-D parts are really fantastic," Stewart says. "Whether you have the glasses or not, it's going to be visually pleasing. It's going to be a good episode." "3rd Rock" features Stewart as Harry Solomon, one of four aliens who have come to Earth disguised as a family to investigate the human condition. A serious theine perhaps, but this "close encounter" is played strictly for laughs.

Harry's dream sequence involves a large song-and-dance number a new experience for Stewart. "I was petrified by the notion of having to sing and dance when basically I don't," he says. "But when you're doing it in the guise of an idiot singing and dancing, you can get away with a lot more." While John Lithgow's Dick Solomon leads the family of aliens, Stewart's Harry serves somewhat as jester. "His brain is quite small, and he's pretty simple by nature," Stewart says. "He's just a lunatic.

He's got the basic human condition covered, but with his unusual take oh things." The nature of the character may seem to limit growth potential, but Stewart has a few ideas for the future. "I would like to see him uou that rreedom using sing Associates may be able to i it. 'revolutionary VLSX Laser, for a candidate with a free consultation. ove "1 v- as I kn' Call Etje Associates at: or -8O0-7W-W6 i the limited time, find out if you're a if you request an eyrass prescription, a minima! fee will be chargsd. kgest movie theater in New Li Lvj? I 4 I IS NOW OPEN! Ccnliny Thccto pxualy cnnounx3 i Perfection, abstraction in painting mm PAGE G1 appearance of the physical world, through new concepts of space, color, light and design, to imaginative realms that are idealistic and spiritual." The manifesto included the statement that "the work does not concern itself with political, economic or other social problems." The group believed that perfection of technique and use of the highest-quality tools and materials would aid the artist in the discovery of inner spiritual and aesthetic truth.

Scattering seeds The idealism that brought the group together during the 1930s was difficult to sustain in the face of the coming war in Europe. In 1940 Jonson wrote: "Right now we need works that present a high state of order. They will not be seen by many, but that does not matter, for the act of doing releases the Sincerity and feeling must have their effects. I realize this places a new aspect and function on the creative arts. I intend it to." 1 The group lasted for seven years and was officially dissolved by Jonson in 1945 after many members became geographically and artistically scattered by World War II.

I The three surviving members of the Transcendentalist Painting Group Carman, Lumpkins and Pierce continue to push open the doors of the impossible. Carman shares his paintings with an ever-widening audience. He recently spoke to a group of young students at Ohlone College and felt a real hunger among them for the reiteration of transcendental and idealistic values in art. serious artist, like the classical musician, spends hours and hours practicing his technique. The ideal modern work of art is in effect an icon of quality with a non-religious sacred value.

You may look and enjoy it for its art values, but the painting is looking back at you asking if your life values are equally clear," Garman said. Lumpkins is widely known for his solar architectural designs and still paints in i Zen Buddhist-inspired style first developed in the transcen-tiental group. iPierce, who works with polyester on mirrored surfaces, is currently displaying new work at the Ncw Mexico Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe. Hi i I r--J. -1 tf it -L III -j -Vllf 1 I A i 1 1 1 fif ir ii-irm if I 1 A ah lji mi i to Wall Screens 4IA A I ledlongllen.

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