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In modern medicine, a “zebra” is a surprising diagnosis. For example, in pretty much every House episode ever produced, House finds a zebra. The term is derived from an aphorism coined in the ’40s which goes “When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don’t expect a zebra.” In other words, if it’s more exotic, it’s less common, and therefore, less likely to occur.

This little corner of the medical lexicon is where Michael Genovese drew inspiration for his sophomore solo show, titled Lines and Cracks and Zebras and Horses. Comprised of “a series of plasma-cut steel wall reliefs”, the show seeks an answer to the question of “why we don’t see something for what it isn’t.”

What does this mean, you ask? We’re not quite sure, but in Mimesis, the artist matches a crack from a Pompeii fresco with a similar  line on the cover art from Metallica’s …And Justice for All. Which sounds pretty cool.

The show will be exhibited at Los Angeles’ OHWOW Gallery from January 12th through February 9th, 2013. More of Genovese’s work can be found on his ArtSlant profile.