David Levinthal
In the 1980s, David Levinthal was poised to be one of the major artists in the medium of photography. With large-format Polaroids and toy figurines, he deftly explored history and cultural archetypes. Unfortunately, he kind of sputtered out; his lighting techniques worsened rather than improved, and with the exception of his Uncle Tom's Cabin series, he never really developed stylistically. He's still a major figure with a swell career, but it's hard not to imagine how good he could have been. Works from several of his major series will be on view all month, and a book signing is planned for March 19th from 12-3:30 pm. Augen Gallery, 817 SW 2nd Ave, 224-8182, Through March 30

American Fight Clubs
Not "fight clubs" as in Ed Norton engaging in some narcissistic, homoerotic, quasi-punk underground macho theatricalities, but good old fashioned boxing rings like the ones where Hilary Swank and Dirty Harry hang out. New American Art Union, 922 SE Ankeny St., 231-8294, Through March 31

Bang Comics!
The Superhero Women Erik Palmer's photographs look like blurry shots of nudes in a forest, but everything we read about them say that they are about the physicality of superheroes, so we're not sure what's going on. Pushdot Studio , 833 NW 14th, 224-5925, Through April 1

Diane Arbus: Family Albums
Not only is the Arbus show pretty good, but downstairs by the auditorium, the museum has a great Jack Pierson word piece, Teen Star, on view, which will hopefully be permanently displayed at the new building, which opens this fall. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, 226-2811, Through April 24

Pippo Lionni
Lionni's Survival of the Fittest is an exploration and explosion of contemporary hieroglyphics such as the "male" and "female" signs, which are all mashed together here to purportedly reveal something about reductionism to the audience. Philip Feldman Gallery, PNCA, 1241 NW Johnson, 226-4391