Our picks for visual art this week: A sleek architectural installation at Rice Gallery; wild sculpture at Texas Gallery; Box 13's building-wide exhibition; the Joannex throws a party for the gods; and the MFAH debuts a major exhibition of ancient African art--seen for the first time in the U.S. (Oh, and there's probably some free booze at one or more of these.)

Sarah Oppenheimer: D-17 Installation by an artist known for rethinking and reinventing architectural space. Opening reception Thursday, September 16, 6 p.m., Rice Gallery, 6100 Main. 713-348-6069

John Newman: Sculptures and Drawings Sculptor known for juxtaposing unrelated objects. Opening reception Thurday, September 16, 6 - 8 p.m., Texas Gallery, 2012 Peden. 713-524-1593

Carlos Rosales Silva, Rebecca Finley, Barrera/Ford, Lina Dib Group of exhibitions includes photography, drawing and installation. Opening reception Saturday, September 18, 7 - 9 p.m., Box 13 Artspace, 6700 Harrisburg.

The Joanna Sexy Godz Gala Dress up like your favorite god for this cool house-gallery's one-night-only fundraiser. They promise tons of food, booze, bands and auctioned art. Saturday, September 18, 8 p.m. - midnight, The Joannex, 1401 Branard. 713-825-1803

Parallel Universes: The Art of Quantum Physics 100 artists exploring the relationship between art and quantum physics. Opening reception Saturday, September 18, 4 - 10 p.m., Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. 713-862-0082

Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria Major exhibition of ancient African art and antiquities. Sunday, September 19, 7 - 9 p.m., Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 1001 Bissonnet. 713-639-7300