Gallery opening of the week: Graham Caldwell at G Fine Art

Graham Caldwell's "Iridescent" is part of "The Uncanny Valley," which opens Saturday. (G Fine Art)

The title of glass artist Graham Caldwell's new exhibition at G Fine Art, "The Uncanny Valley," comes from the nexus of art and science. It refers to the unexpected revulsion that many of us feel when fake "people" -- say, robots or digitally animated humans -- start to look too much like real ones. It's lifelike, but a little creepy.

That push-pull has always been a big part of Caldwell's art. He gets surprising mileage out of glass, having his way with his chosen material until it evokes, variously, candy, Christmas ornaments, mirrors, fungus, antlers, teeth and claws. There's also a conceptual underpinning that grounds what is all too often merely pretty (or, in some cases, gross) work. In other words, Caldwell is not just interested in deconstructing and re-constructing the way we look at glass, but how we look at ourselves.

"Graham Caldwell: The Uncanny Valley" opens Saturday with a free public reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The show remains on view through Feb. 5 at 1350 Florida Ave. NE. 202-462-1601. www.gfineart.com.