CHICAGO.- Surreal visionary painting meets spiritual representation in February’s UBS 12 x 12 New Artists/New Work exhibition. Artist Jeni Spota presents small panels from Giotto’s Dream, a series of paintings depicting her interpretation of a scene from the provocative Italian film The Decameron by Pier Paolo Pasolini (1971). Spota illustrates the dream vision of the inspiring main character, Giotto, which evokes spiritual iconography of the Renaissance era. The exhibition opens at First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Chicago, on February 1 and runs through March 2, 2008.

Giotto’s phantasmal vision serves as the driving influence for Spota’s mysterious and cathartic paintings. Variable dramatic and violent relationships among faceless figures saturate each painting while the repeated imagery of Giotto’s dream binds each painting to mysticism. Spota’s considerably dense application of paint turns each image into its own strange and fascinating breed of icon.

Spota received her BFA from the State University of New York at Purchase in 2004 and her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007. She leads a tour of her work on Tuesday, February 12, at 6:30 pm.

February at the MCA begins with a First Friday’s Burlesque Star theme. Guests can send messages to one another via the Digital Love Post Office; make Valentines at the Creation Station; and view a sneak peek of “Bubble-Rama,” a comedic short film shot in Chicago. Time Out Chicago’s sex columnist, Debby Herbenick, author of their weekly “In & Out” column, answers questions guests may have. Performers from Michelle L’amour’s “Big Sexy Show” provide entertainment. DJs Megan Taylor and Emily Hard provide music and the bar serves Cabaret Cosmos and Tease me-Tinis. MCA members may enjoy red feather boas given away at the Macy’s Member Lounge. The after party takes place at Crimson Lounge, 333 N. Dearborn St.

First Fridays tickets include museum admission, live entertainment, and complimentary Puck’s hors d’oeuvres and are available the evening of the event for $15 ($7 for MCA members). Advance tickets are $10 ($7 MCA members) available through the MCA Box Office at 312.397.4010 or www.mcachicago.org. Doors are open from 6-10 pm. A cash bar is open until 9:30 pm. Guests must be 21 or older to enter.