DARK DOLLS Spanish photographer Jorge Ribalta takes “celebrity portraits” of dolls and figurines that belie their usual kitschy uses. An exhibit of his work, “Portraits (Elegy to August Sander),” includes grave shots of “Arnold Schwarzenegger,” “Pope John Paul II,” and actor “Seth Green.” Many of the figures look more somber than their makers likely intended: Boris Karloff seems a pensive, not violent, Frankenstein, while a blow-up doll named “Chastity” looks both proud and resigned. As the show’s title implies, Mr. Ribalta intended the dark portraits as an homage German photographer August Sander. Through Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Zabriskie Gallery, 41 E. 57th St., between Park and Madison avenues, fourth floor, 212-752-1223, free.

VACATION VIEW Moti Hasson Gallery’s summer group exhibition,”Viewfinder,” is meant to resemble a traveler’s shifting point of view. The show features works by Carina Randlov, Anna Shteynshleyger, Lucas Kelly, Madeline Djerejian, Joanne Rosen, Dahlia Elsayed, Kathe Burkhart, Frank Benson, and Miriam Cabessa. Through Thursday, August 25, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Moti Hasson Gallery, 330 W. 38th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, suite 211, 212-268-4444, free.

ANIMAL KINGDOM The summer group show “Animal Tales” features paintings, drawings, and photographs of the furry and feathered among us. Many works are infused with humor: Robert Selwyn’s “How to Tell If Your Pet Is Gay” (2002) is a dapper portrait of a dog sporting a cap and bandana, and in Saul Steinberg’s lithograph “Untitled (Animals)” (1971), a smiling crocodile wears a crown as a peacock, rabbit, and other creatures look on. John Nickle curated the show. Through Friday, September 2, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., DFN Gallery, 176 Franklin St., between Greenwich and Hudson streets, 212-334-3400, free.

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