Styrofoam or terracotta?

Conceptual artist Tom Friedman is displaying a playful and thought-provoking collection of his works at the Mead through June 26. Working primarily in Styrofoam and paint, Friedman has created modern replicas of ancient pieces that belong to the Mead’s permanent collection. The juxtaposition of an automatically revered Green figurine next to Friedman’s modern doppleganger with its tube socks under flip-flops and stretched white cotton T. It’s the kind of art that will make you laugh before it makes you think … about Styrofoam, about cultural development and honor and value and why is his penis so small? Mesmerizing.

Tom Friedman, Untitled: Through June 26. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College, 41 Quadrangle Dr., Amherst.

— Kristin Palpini