Some conceptual art installations look like science projects, but up-and-coming Baton Rouge sculptor Jonathan Pellitteri injects this Descent expo with a healthy dose of poetic mystery as well. Occupying the oval gallery formed by the CAC's spiral ramp, Descent is a time-based piece employing rope, sacks of coal and pulleys in a curious relationship with a canopy of woven branches. Pellitteri says Descent, 'allows the properties of water to guide the evolution of an object. As water slowly seeps, drips and evaporates from the linen sacks the delicate balance will be disturbed, causing the canopy of sticks to drift toward the floor Filtered through coal, the water solidifies underlying deposits of clay to produce a record of the event." High tech it ain't, but its odd elegance hints at the design experiments of Leonardo and Piranesi, among others. " D. Eric Bookhardt Through November 15

Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3800; www.cacno.org