Think of shadow puppets, and diaspora and political persecution are not necessarily the first things that come to mind. However, Philadelphia-based artist Erik Ruin has used a fairly unsophisticated medium to explore darker topics. His show, Flight, utilizes intricate paper-cuttings to create evocative, slightly surreal meditations on what it means to be displaced from one's homeland. Violinist Katt Hernandez accompanies the performance with an improvised score.
April 24, 7 p.m., Food for Thought Books, 106 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, (413) 253-5432, www.foodforthoughtbooks.com.
