What is with Damien Hirst? First, the famed artist made the album cover for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' latest album. Now, he's exhibiting on Melrose. You'd think the man'd finally lightened up to become a surfer dude upon Malibu's sandy beaches. Or at least a Beverly HIlls recluse. Alas, the Chili Peppers' cover is a fly perched atop an ominous-looking giant pill, and the show on Melrose (at fellow British national Rankin's eponymous gallery) is a three-way between himself, Rankin, and, well, sandy-haired fashion model Dani Smith. Fear not, the work hugs close to Hirst's macabre. Dani, who's beachy body featured in Flaunt's pages many moons ago, may have a fresh look, but here she is cast as a fictional collector's muse. This collector then hires artists to make sculptures of her as mystical beings. Hence, the show Myths, Monsters and Legends.

Rankin's manipulated C-prints lend handily to the concept, and the trio come up with some terrifying results--just in time for Halloween.

You have to admire Hirst as a gamefaced Cerebus.

Myths, Monsters and Legends by Damien Hirst, Rankin, and Dani Smith opens with a private vernissage at RANKIN Gallery, 8070 Melrose Ave on Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 from 7 - 10 p.m. The show will open to the public the following day.

A book of the show will be released by Rankin this month.

www.rankinla.com