* Evolution
Lorna Nakell's expertly rendered paintings of roast beef, cavemen, Jell-O, and rocket ships are like a deft philosopher's struggle for meaning as she explores notions of polite convention, warfare, human nature, domestic rituals, and modern life. Basil Hallward Gallery at Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, Through June

* Modern Zoo
Bite the bullet, make the fifteen minute drive to St. Johns, and see the fuss that is the Modern Zoo. With thousands and thousands of square feet devoted to exhibition space, even the pickiest viewer should find something to love. Don't leave without seeing pieces by Melody Owen, David Eckard, and Natascha Snellman. Portland Center for the Advancement of Culture, 6635 N Baltimore, 503-481-7450, noon-8pm, Fri - Sun, through August

Summer Group Show
PDX's grab-bag group show of gallery artists may not Gestalt into any cohesive curatorial theme, but it is a fine chance to see single works by some great Portland artists. Highlights include Eric Stotik's surrealist illustrative nightmares, Joe Macca's ultra-geo Post-it compositions, and of course, the incomparable James Lavadour. PDX, 604 NW 12th Ave, 222-0063, Through July 5

* Oregon Biennial
You know you're going to see this one anyway, so you might as well show up at the June 27 opening reception, get in free, and try to crash the fifteen dollar party that gets you tapas and flamenco dancing. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, 276-4246, June 28 - Sept 7, $6-10

Terre Thaemltz and

Kirk P. Linder
You've got to hand it to Soundvision for never taking the obvious route and pushing the envelope of local galleries. This month, they show the work of Kirk P. Linder, a local painter who is a landscape designer by trade, and Terre Thaemltz, a transgender artist from Japan "forthrightly dealing with issues of intersex." Soundvision, 625 NW Everett #108, 238-7007, Through June 28

Tom Jones
Tom Jones (no, not that Tom Jones) is a member of the Ho Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Jones photographs his tribe with an entirely unsentimental viewpoint in a manner that is both loving and ironic. An exploration of tribal people in postmodern times. Blue Sky Photography Gallery, 1231 NW Hoyt St, 225-0210, Through June

* The Registry of Existence
Here's one that probably needs to be experienced to be completely understood. Within the public service office space of the Portland Building, three University of Oregon students have concocted an interactive art installation resembling a... public service office space. The public service offered is a registry that "provides self-service existence testing and verification." Applicants will fill out forms and endure tests that measure, evaluate and categorize their existence. I can only imagine what these categories of existence might be. "Is" and "Is not," perhaps? Portland Building Lobby, 1120 SW 5th, Through July 18