This Week in Art Openings: Paul Eng, Virginia Overton and Deth P. Sun

Paul Eng, “Russians”
Russians: Vodka-drinking, cheekbone-blessed, Georgia-invading and nightlife-loving. Paul Eng, a Chinatown New York native, fell in love with Moscow for its resemblance to the old New York, and moved there three years ago to get the gritty, amateurish excitement back in his life. His photo exhibit gives us a glimpse of Russia from the inside, with personal work and pieces commissioned by real-live Russians, and may even show us that there’s more to the vast country than just vodka, cheekbones and war.

Riveria Gallery, 103 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, (718) 599-5589. Opening reception August 21, 7–10 p.m. Through August 31.

Virginia Overton, “Moving on South”
White Box’s Six Feet Under series -- six artists and six curators every summer for the past six years -- will feature a seventh weeklong exhibit this year, which will be the last ever in their Chelsea location before moving to the Bowery. Overton uses her Tennessee upbringing to bring various views of Americana to an installation using lights, mirrors, engines and video. Her video of driving down Interstate 40 and a piece that mirrors the underbelly of her pick-up truck provide a distinction to the sleek Chelsea surroundings. It’s supposed to make you wonder how the big, wide nation outside of New York City will vote this November.

White Box, 525 W. 25th St., (212) 714-2347. Opening reception August 21, 6–8 p.m. Through August 26.

Deth P. Sun, “I See It All”
Sun’s cartoonish acrylic paintings on wood panels function sort of like an action-packed comic strip with the sort of fantasy lands we usually only see on Nintendo games. The Oakland-based artist bases this cosmic adventure on personal experience, and is influenced by three of our favorite things to be influenced by: the Moomin series (picture cartoon hippopotamus-nosed Swedish trolls), Terry Gilliam films and David Attenborough (think of the British voice from basically any BBC nature show).

Giant Robot Gallery, 437 E. 9th St., (212) 674-4769. Opening reception August 23, 6:30–10 p.m. Through Sept. 10.