Two fabulously colored fighting cockerels by London-based painter Allison Katz dominate Luhring Augustine’s summer group show. Titled ‘Noli Me Tangere!’ or ‘don’t touch me’ after Christ’s post-resurrection instruction to Mary Magdalene, the birds seem less about divine mystery than hysterical escalation of conflict. Flowing feathers create dynamic patterns, echoing the clouds in the sky and lending beauty and urgency to a scene both captivating and absurd. (On view in Chelsea through August 6th.)
