So, Gauguin pretty much summed up human experience when he titled that painting "Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?" It's all we've ever wondered, and we'll spend eternity looking for those elusive (or nonexistent) answers. And there's one more pillar of a question we continue to suffer over: what should we be doing while we're here? As Rochester celebrates her 175th anniversary, the 2009-10 art season brings us a glaring-yet-celebratory look at humanity in all of our beautiful, destructive, and inquisitive glory. From the local scene to the wider world, contemporary works of art explore where we are and where we're headed.

Rochester Contemporary (137 East Ave, 461-2222, rochestercontemporary.org) is no stranger to collaborative shows, as proven with the recent FUA KREW/Lesley Horowitz "State of the City" exhibition. The new season will take it a step further, presenting a diverse set of showings with the common theme of artist couples. This rich topic, says director Bleu Cease, will present "those that collaborate, those that compete, those that critique, and those that just happen to be married, but don't share their artwork." Starting the season off in October-November will be an electronic media exhibition by Canadian artist couple Duke and Battersby, whose collage-esque videos mash-up short films, animation, in-praise-of-detritus gospel, and more, with dryly humorous and poignant messages.

Throughout most of art history, artists have been trying to perfect their portrayal of the ideal human form. And then the ideal got boring and nobody could relate to it, anyway. Leave perfection to pin-ups: artists have something to say with their aesthetic exploration. The 34 American and European paintings included in the disturbing and compelling "Paint Made Flesh" show at the Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave, 276-8900, mag.Rochester.edu) hail from the past 60 years, and their subjects honestly display the vulnerability of a post-WWII anxious, broken humanity. Included are works by Georg Baselitz, Hyman Bloom, Willem de Kooning, Eric Fischl, Lucien Freud, Alice Neel, Pablo Picasso, and Jenny Saville. The exhibition runs October 25-January 3, and is one of only two tour stops for this show, so don't miss the opportunity to see it.

From October 3 to January 24, you can view a series of Rochester-themed shows at the George Eastman House (900 East Ave, 271-3361, eastmanhouse.org) in celebration of our city's 175th anniversary. "Where We Live" features Rochester in images from the Eastman House collections, as seen through the lens of professional photographers, community leaders, and you. Y'all heard me: "Picturing Rochester" is an open invitation for locals to submit photographs and videos depicting the community's challenges, strengths, and beauty. The exhibition will also include video segments featuring first-person stories.

[ CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS ] COMPILED BY DEB SCHLEEDE

For additional exhibit listings check the online Fall Guide at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Artisan Works (565 Blossom Rd, 288-7170, artisanworks.net; Fri - Sat 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m., $12) Through November 1 is "After 9/11," a photography exhibit by Visual Studies Workshop founder Nathan Lyons that portrays Americans' varied responses to the events of September 11, 2001, from renewed patriotism to crass commercialism. Also showing Nov 1-Feb: recent works by Tom Orsini.

Arts Center Gallery at Nazareth College (4245 East Ave, 389-5073, naz.edu; Tue-Wed 1-4 p.m., Thu-Sat 4-8 p.m.) The new gallery opens with "Midnight Oil," featuring ceramic sculptures by Bill Stewart and paintings by Kathy Calderwood, September 25-November 8. Coming in 2010: Nazareth Studio Art Faculty Show, and "Shared Spaces," an art teacher/student show.

Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave, 563-2145, thebaobab.org; Wed-Fri 6-9 p.m., Sat 3-6 p.m.) Through October is "Creative Hue: A HUE Perspective," featuring works by the collaboration of local artists and arts organizations adocating for artists of color in the Rochester area.

Bertha V.B. Lederer Gallery (Brodie Fine Arts, SUNY Geneseo, 245-5814, geneseo.edu; Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Through October 10 catch "From the Studio," the 2009 Geneseo faculty exhibition. Also showing Oct 19-Dec 5: "Multiple Points of View," a Florida State University graduate student exhibit.

Bevier Gallery (James E. Booth Building, RIT, 475-2645; Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat 1-4:30 p.m., Sun 2-4:30 p.m., extended hours Mon & Thu 7-9 p.m.) An RIT faculty exhibition runs December 7-January 13. Also showing: "Grüttner Posters" (Sep 18-Oct 24), "Sixteenth Year" (Oct 25-Nov 18).

B.T. Roberts Memorial Hall Art Gallery (Northeastern Seminary, Roberts Wesleyan College, nes.edu/Gallery; Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Showing September 28-November 15 is "Extreme Makeover: Revitalization of the 21st Century Church," a multimedia group show exploring the church's changing role in contemporary American society. Also showing: Jan 9-Mar 30: "Documenting Hope: Lessons from Africa"; Apr 15-Jun 30: "Faculty Invitational."

Casa Italiana (Nazareth College, 4245 East Ave, 389-2468, naz.edu/dept/casa_italiana; Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) Through November 12: "Calabria com'era (Calabria As it Was)," photographs of Italy's majestic Calabria region by Antonio Toscano. Also showing Nov 15-Jan 8: mixed-media works by Karen Sardisco.

Center at High Falls Gallery (60 Browns Race, 325-2030, centerathighfalls.org; Wed-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat noon-6 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.) Through November 6 is the group show "Loud Bright Bold!," followed by "Upside Down...and Sideways," in which works will be hung upside down or sideways to add an additional challenge to the viewer.

Colacino Gallery (Nazareth College, 4245 East Ave, 248-0058, naz.edu) Starting October 2: "Looking East (On the Morning of the Second Coming)," a photography exhibit by Nazareth faculty member Paul Porell.

Davison Gallery (Cultural Life Center, Roberts Wesleyan College, roberts.edu/DavisonGallery; Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 1-4 p.m.) Through October 5 is "Converging Angles of Inclination," an exhibit exploring nature and geometry in the work of Paul Garland and Dallas Walters. Also showing: Oct 14-Nov 11: "In Plain View," photographs by Ralph Gabriner and Larry Merrill; Nov 17-Dec 17: faculty showcase featuring the work of Alice Drew, Jeffery Grubbs, and Joanna Heatwole.

Dyer Arts Center (National Technical Institute for the Deaf, RIT, 475-6855, ntid.rit.edu/dyerarts; Mon-Tue 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Fri 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sat 1-3:30 p.m.) Through October 5 is a show by the New York Artists Guild. Also showing: quilts and textile pieces by Theresa Matteson Coughlah and Rita Straubhaar (Oct 9-Nov 21), sculpture by Lisa Graf (Nov 30-Jan 8).

Friendly Home Memorial Gallery (3156 East Ave, 385-0298, friendlyhome.org; daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Through October is a show by the Piesley Art Guild. Also showing Nov-Dec: pieces by Pam LoCicero, Deborah Hendrickson, Keli DiRisio.

Gallery 821 (7 Schoen Place, artgallery821.com; Tue-Wed 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat noon-5 p.m.) September 29-October 21 check out original artworks, prints, and posters by Ramon Santiago and Frank Argento.

Gallery R (775 Park Ave, galleryr.org; Thu-Fri 2-6 p.m., Sat-Sun 1-5 p.m.) October 1-31 see the work of past students with the "RIT Alumni Invitational." Also showing Nov 5-Dec 5: "Functional Art," an open RIT student competition featuring creative interpretations of art that has a practical purpose; Dec 10-Jan 23: "Words & Images in Print," narratives through film stills, photographs, design, fine arts, and creative writing.

GCC Center for the Arts (Stuart Steiner Theatre, Genesee Community College, 1 College Rd, Batavia, 343-0055 ex. 6814, genesee.edu) Through October 13 see pastels and pottery pieces by Chuck Ruffino and Gloria Betlam. Also showing: watercolor landscapes by Victor Corey (Oct 15-Dec 1); an exhibit by the Batavia Photo Club (Dec 3-Jan 25).

Genesee Center for the Arts and Education (713 Monroe Ave, 271-5183, geneseearts.org) September 18-October 24 in the Firehouse Gallery is the "History in the Making IV" national juried ceramics exhibit. Also showing in the Community Darkroom September 18-November 8 is "Personal Documentary" and November 13-January 10 is "Life Without Details: Pictorialism Revisited." The Holiday Sale runs Nov 13-Dec 31 in the Firehouse Gallery.

George Eastman House (900 East Ave, 271-3361, eastmanhouse.org; Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thu until 8 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m., $4-$10) October 3-January 10 the Eastman House presents "Where We Live," a series of exhibitions that capture the many facets of Rochester through photographs, including "Picturing Rochester," photos submitted by local citizens, and "How Do We Look," views of Rochester by internationally renowned photographers. Also showing Nov 11-Dec 16 is "Sweet Creations," the annual display of gingerbread houses and other holiday sweets, some modeled after local sites and landmarks.

Hartnett Gallery (Wilson Commons, University of Rochester Campus, 275-4188, Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat-Sun noon-5 p.m.) October 29-November 22 see "Zorcutt: The Way of the Future," in which sculptor Zachary Orcutt ("Zorcutt") takes the old, abandoned, and ordinary and combines them to form large-scale flying machines that illustrate odd relationships with art, American industry, politics, and commerce. Also showing Sep 17-Oct 15: "Telecommunity Portrait."

Image City Photography Gallery (722 University Ave, 271-2540, imagecityphotographygallery.com; Wed-Sat 11 a.m. -7 p.m., Sun noon-4 p.m.) Showing November 4-29 are works by Gary and Phyllis Thompson, a married couple of photographers who go beyond photographs and instead create drawn-out scenes. Also showing: photo exhibits by Sheridan Vincent (through October 4) and George Wallace (Oct 7-Nov 1), plus the annual holiday show (Dec 2-23).

Lockhart Gallery (McCellan House, 26 Main St, Geneseo, geneseo.edu; Mon-Thu 12:30-3:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 12:30-5:30 p.m.) Running October 23-December 5 is "Celebrating Art Alumni: 1999/2004," showcasing works by recent Geneseo graduates. Also showing through Oct 9: painter Leslie Heen.

Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave, 276-8900, mag.rochester.edu; Wed-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thu until 9 p.m., $4-$10) Through November 8 take in "Walter Goodman's ‘The Printseller's Window': Solving a Painter's Puzzle," which takes viewers through the mysteries surrounding the questions raised by a fascinating 19th century tromp l'oeil painting. Also showing: Through Oct 4: "Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition"; Oct 25-Jan 3: "Paint Made Flesh." Coming in 2010: Jan 31-Apr 4: "Fashioning Kimono: Art Deco and Modernism in Japan"; May 1-Jun 27: "Albert Paley in the 21st Century."

Mercer Gallery (Monroe Community College, 1000 E. Henrietta Rd, 292-2021, monroecc.edu/go/mercer; Mon-Thu 10 a.m. -7 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Showing November 20-December 18 is "The Itinerant Artist Project," an exhibition of the hundreds of small paintings created by artist Jim Mott on his treks across the country, going from volunteer host to host, in an attempt to capture the various locales he visited. Also showing: Through Oct 9: "Art Machine" by Abraham Ferraro, which mixes the mechanical with the artistic.

Mill Art Center (61 N. Main St., Honeoye Falls, 624-7740, millartcenter.com; Mon-Sat 11 a.m. -5 p.m., Thu until 9 p.m.) From September 26-October 31 catch "September Art Crescendo," an exhibition of work by the members of the Mill Art Center. Also showing: Nov 3-Dec 1: works by Stacia Casana; Dec 2-Jan 15: "Art for Giving."

Ock Hee's Gallery (2 Lehigh St, Honeoye Falls, 624-4730; Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m.) Running November 14-December 24 is a group artist exhibit featuring media as diverse as quilts, wood carvings, glass sculpture, porcelain, bronze sculptures, and more. Also showing: Through Oct 3: "Signs of Life"; Oct 10-Nov 5: ceramics by Robert Hessler.

Oxford Gallery (267 Oxford St, 271-5885, oxfordgallery.com; Tue-Fri noon-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) Through October 10 are abstract/representational paintings and landscape paintings by Sharon Gordon and Peter Harris that avoid man-made interruptions in an attempt to evoke the early 19th century. Also showing: Oct 17-Nov 21: photo realist paintings and pastel compositions by Kate Timm and Ray Hassard; Nov 27-mid-January: Holiday Exhibit.

Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery (71 S. Main St, Canandaigua, 394-0030, prrgallery.com; Mon, Tue & Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wed-Fri 10 a.m-8 p.m., Sun 12:30-4 p.m.) Running September 18-October 25 is "What's New," with works by Alice Gold, Dick Kane, Ed Levine, Peter Secrest, and Brenda Sunseri.

Renaissance Art Gallery (74 Paul St, 423-8235, rochesterrenaissanceartgallery.com; Tue-Sat 11 a.m.-5 p.m.) Through September 29 celebrate the third anniversary with the gallery with a joint show by Dale Klein (original prints, etchings, aquatints, and lithographs) and Gene Pizzoli (paintings of Rochester and the surrounding area). Also showing: Ruth Haas (Oct 2-30), Scott Michell (Nov 6-30), and Andrew Jurman, Mat MacDonald, and Tim Etter (Dec 4-Jan 15).

Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Ave, 461-2222, rochestercontemporary.org; Wed -Sun 1 -5 p.m., $1) Showing October 2-November 15 is "Beauty + Pity," an electronic media exhibition by Duke and Battersby. Also showing: 19th Annual Members Exhibition (Dec 4-Jan 17), "Maker/Mentor: Judd & Julie Williams" (Feb 5-Mar 21).

Tower Fine Arts Gallery (Tower Fine Arts Center, SUNY Brockport, 395-2805, brockport.edu/finearts; Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 1-4 p.m.) Showing October 28-December 6 is "Animal Logic," a collection of works that consider the animal kingdom in various ways, from analytical to humorous to sympathetic. Also showing through Oct 13: "Preparations: Artists' Sketchbooks and Journals."

Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince St, 442-8676, vsw.org; Thu 5-8 p.m., Fri-Sat noon-5 p.m.) Running September 18-October 25 in the Suskind Gallery is "Result: 0," photographs by Khiang Hei that paint the picture of China's struggles with media control. Also showing in the gallery and bookstore: "ImageArt," an art show held in conjunction with the ImageOut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Oct 2-25), and "Timed Release," mixed-media video installations by Heidi Kumao (Nov 5-Dec 20).

Williams Gallery (First Unitarian Church, 220 S Winton Rd, 271-9070, rochesterunitarian.org) Running through October 5 is "Arrogance of Power," a show of pieces by Robert Marx, whose haunting works examine the relationship between the oppressed and the oppressors. Also showing Oct 8-Nov 16: "Harvest With Justice," by the Genesee Unitarian Universalist Societies Together (GUUSTO).

Art Events

Artist Row Art Fair Sun Sep 20. Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. marketfriends.org

Artful Holidays Art & Craft Show and Sale Thu-Sat Nov 5-7. Artists of the Genesee Valley. 17 Main St, Geneseo. Thu preview 6-8 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3. gvcaonline.org.

Arts & Cultural Council Fri Oct 2: "Exploiting Your Music in 2009 Workshop." 277 N Goodman St. 9 a.m.-noon. $35-$50. artsrochester.org.

First Friday Gallery Nights Fri Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4. City-wide gallery night. 6-9 p.m. Map and locations at firstfridayrochester.org.

Great Bowls of Fire Chili Cookoff Sat Nov 7. Genesee Center for the Arts, 713 Monroe Ave. 7 p.m. $20. 244-1730, geneseearts.org.

George Eastman House Sat Oct 11: Michael Feinstein benefit concert for the Eastman House, 4 p.m., $55-$250, Hochstein School of Music & Dance, 50 N. Plymouth Ave. 271-3361 x218, eastmanhouse.org.

Greater Ithaca Art Trail Sat-Sun Oct 10-11 & 17-18. Tour open artist studios in the Ithaca area. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. arttrail.com.

Letchworth Arts and Crafts Show and Sale Sat-Sun Oct 10-11. Highbanks Recreation Area, Letchworth Park. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 493-3600, letchworthpark.com.

Memorial Art Gallery Thu Sep 24: Art at 11 Lecture: John Griebsch, 11 a.m.; Dr. Lorenc Bejko lecture, 7:30 p.m. | Wed Sep 30: Educator's Open House, 4:30-7 p.m. | Sun Oct 4: Hispanic Heritage Family Day, noon -5 p.m.; What's Up, 1 p.m. | Thu Oct 8 & 22: ART:21 Video Screening, 7 p.m. | Sat Oct 24: "Paint Made Flesh" preview, 5-7 p.m., and party, 8-11 p.m. | Sun Oct 25: Mark Scala lecture, 2 p.m. | Thu Oct 29: Dr. Andrew Goldman lecture, 7:30 p.m. | Fri Nov 6: Fine Craft Show Preview Party, 7-9 p.m. | Sat-Sun Nov 7-8: 9th Annual Fine Craft Show | Sun Dec 27: Kwanzaa Family Day, noon -5 p.m. | 500 University Ave. 276-8900, mag.rochester.edu

More Fire Glass Studio Wed Nov 4: Fused Ornaments Workshop, 6-8:30 p.m., $75 | Sat Nov 14: Ornaments at the Torch!, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $125 | 80 Rockwood Pl. 242-0450, morefireglass.com.

More Fire Glass Studio Holiday Sale Fri-Sat Nov 27-28, Sat-Sun Dec 5-6. 80 Rockwood Pl. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 242-0450, morefireglass.com.

Naples Open Studio Trail Sat-Sun Oct 3-4. Open artist studios throughout Naples area. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 554-6019, naplesopenstudiotrail.com.

North Winton Festival of the Arts Sat Sep 26. Arts and crafts, live music and lots of neighbors. North Winton Road. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. northwintonvillage.com

Rochester Folk Art Guild Fall Open House Fri-Sat Sep 26-27. East Hill Gallery, 1445 Upper Hill Rd, Middlesex. 1-5 p.m. rfag.org

Second Storie Indie Market Sat-Sun Nov 28-29. Visual Studies Workshop, 31 Prince St. Sat 11 a.m. -6 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m. secondstorie.net.

Visual Studies Workshop Sat Nov 7: "Hand Coloring Black & White Photographs," 10 a.m. -2 p.m., $55 | Sat-Sun Dec 5-6: "Renegade Screen-Printing," 10 a.m. -2 p.m., $125 | 442-8676, vsw.org.