Currently on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is an exhibition titled “Super Heroes Fashion and Fantasy.” It is a look at comic book fashion trends that illustrate technological extensions or advancements of the human body from the mid 20th century to today. Even in the light of the current trend toward authenticity in the creative marketplace, there will always be a place for the idealized human form. From Greek to Roman times to Spiderman, Superman and Wonder Woman, we see archetypes for strength, courage, speed, sexuality, fortitude and good.

Dara Torres models the new LZR RACER along side a hologram of Michael Phelps during the new Speedo Swimsuit Launch at Espace on February 12, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

For example, the D.C. comic book character “The Flash” was an inspiration for current Olympian Michael Phelp’s aqua suit made by Speedo as he is smashing world-records and becoming the most decorated Olympic athlete in history. Comic books and superheroes give children a way to dream and channel their imaginations into fantastical realms. Even after adolescence, superheroes remain part of our collective cultural history as they are passed down from generation to generation as evidenced in the fashion on display here.

For generations, our culture has been fascinated with robots. Perhaps it is because of the ability to project our own ideals onto that of a man-made creature that takes on a life of its own. Or maybe it is because we can make up for our own insecurities in life by creating a more “perfect” albeit “artificially intelligent” being.

The Jetsons/Hannah Barbera

Hal 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey/Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Tron/Walt Disney

Robocop/Orion Pictures

AI/Dreamworks SKG

IronMan/Marvel Entertainment

Wall-E/Walt Disney/Pixar

Lovable and benevolent helpers such as Rosie from The Jetsons, evil doers such as Hal 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, the mainframe computer from Tron, benevolent crime fighters such as Robocop and Ironman and the super cute child-like AI and Wall-E are just a very few of the many robots ingrained in our sci-fi and cultural histories. There is no denying that these machines have an impact on our shared visual landscape as archetypes that we all have ingrained in our minds.

Thomas Holton/Sasha Wolf Gallery

Currently on view at the Sasha Wolf Gallery (10 Leonard Street in Manhattan) are documentary images from photographer Thomas Holton’s body of work depicting the “Lams of Ludlow Street,” a Chinese immigrant family that lives in a small apartment in downtown New York City.

Holton began photographing this family while a graduate student in the MFA Photography program at the School of Visual Arts. The show, currently on view until April 26, includes a carefully curated selection of images that evoke a strong “day in the life” sensibility that results in a powerful sense of authenticity. Small, seemingly mundane daily rituals, such as a parent giving her children a bath, sharing a family meal gathered around the kitchen table, or watching television together are transformed far beyond basic family snapshots and into beautiful and telling moments that describe the human condition.

Thomas Holton/Sasha Wolf Gallery

Thomas Holton/Sasha Wolf Gallery

At a time when a strong sense of authenticity and human connection are becoming more and more desirable by advertising and creative industry clients, this gallery exhibition is a strong example of authentic work of a very high visual caliber.