If Tara Donovan had a blog, I would read it every day.

Also, I had a dream about her last night.

If we've spoken in the past month or so, I've probably mentioned Tara Donovan's exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center.

Now I might be a little bit faggy, but I'm definitely no art fag. What I love about this exhibition is that anyone can enjoy it, and get it. You don't need a degree in art history. You don't have to crane your neck to read the little tag on the wall that explains the obscure context of some abstract painting that looks like, for all you can tell, a blank canvas.

Donovan takes familiar, mass-produced consumer products (styrofoam cups, plastic straws, buttons) and turns them into massive, organic-looking structures. Styrofoam cups become a cloud, plastic straws become a wall of fog, buttons become a stalagmite or coral reef.

If you live in the Des Moines area, or if you ever get the chance to see Donovan's work in the flesh, do it. Zeriously, just do it. I've been twice, and look how successful I am.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that Donovan's work is at both the main gallery on Grand and at the Downtown gallery at 8th and Walnut. There is amazing stuff at both galleries, so be sure to visit both.