Imi Knoebel’s art is born of philosophical discourse and realized with unusual materials and methods. Knoebel was a student of Joseph Beuys, and, accordingly, his work has always involved a search for “freedom” in concept and execution. This exhibition comprised seven mostly large works done in acrylic on aluminum and plastic sheeting.

Considering the stereotypes that link big paintings, vast spaces and muscular workers with Americans, it’s surprising that most of the artists attracting attention for large-scale (and grotesque) sculptural bodies—they include Folkert de Jong, Thomas Houseago and Berlinde de Bruyckere—are European. Another star in this firmament is Los Angeles-based Matthew Monahan—indeed an American, but one who has studied in Europe and lived in Japan. Monahan’s works at Kern seemed to reflect the ages and depths of those other cultures, not his own.

What you see is not always what you get. At least not in the case of Nathalie Djurberg’s twisted fairy tales. The 30-year-old, Berlin-based Swedish artist has built an international art career turning her daydreams and fantasies into simple yet disturbing stop-motion animations.

One thing you can say for Allison Schulnik: she’s seriously into paint. The young L.A. artist’s New York solo debut included 13 canvases, nearly all dated 2008, on which she mounds her oils like cupcake icing.