Asthmatic Kitty to curate Unusual Animal gallery

[Above: Detail from Asthmatic Kitty's Unusual Animals Vol. 2]

Oftentimes, unusual animals are confined to isolated islands, where they are controlled through shock therapy by Marlon Brando wearing an ice bucket. Asthmatic Kitty Records, on the other hand, releases the curious beasts – be they time traveling rappers or unlikely pairings between roster artists and outsider friends – through its own Unusual Animals imprint. These special records may be even more eclectic than a Moreau-mutant piano duet.

After expanding the idea into cross-country parties showcasing the rarer birds (fringe musicians and businesses) of places like Brooklyn and Portland, the label has now decided to maintain an Indianapolis art gallery. Co-sponsored by Kangaroo Press, opening night on Halloween will feature live music from Cryptacize, Deer Tick, Bronze Float and Castanets. These jams will emanate from the Harrison Center Underground, which is part of the Unusual Animals Project Space-hosting Harrison Center for the Arts. Doors open at 7 p.m., admission is $6.

According to Asthmatic Kitty, “because the Unusual Animals Project Space will promote installation art from aspiring and established artists alike, local and national, it will be the first of its kind in Indianapolis.” Its debut exhibit is by co-curator Cindy Hinant, whose website displays some pretty unusual animals itself – creatures and landscapes in weirdo neon that generally avoid Lisa Frankness, barring a unicorn or two.

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