Two Shows (in San Francisco)

Edward Burtynsky, Iberia Quarries No. 3, 2006

Edward Burtynsky's pictures of quarries, at Koch, are about as lacking in soul as photographs can be.


Diane Arbus, Female Impersonators' Dressing Room, NYC, 1958

While Diane Arbus's early work, at Fraenkel, might be just a little too soulful.

If you had to choose, though, the choice would be an easy one.

In fact, they're both worth seeing. Burtynsky's quarries may be soulless, but they are visually awesome. And although Arbus's early work was not her best, its imperfections and idiosyncrasies are themselves interesting.

(Arbus closes this Saturday; Burtynsky is here until Thanksgiving)