"Civilization as They Knew It" provides a retrospective of Californian Stephen Paulsen's evolving work, from fifteen years old to the current work created with his son, Ulysses, a glassblower. Stephen's infamous wall pieces create stories of ancient times through the interior architecture of fictional tombs. The viewer shares a window on this world through the descriptive titles that begin - then drop - the short story about each piece. Other wall pieces recall museum-like cabinets of curiosities. "Civilization as They Knew It" is the objects and crypts found in Stephen Paulsen's mind.

Within each exquisite cranny, Paulsen installs chalices and vessels in realistic miniature landscapes - too fragile to handle and untouchable - at a distance. Magically, the ancient world comes to life. Each wall piece suggests treasure hunts, hidden tombs, and mystery - all in exotic woods. Paulsen says, "I revel in the places, within us and outside of us, where the past and the future momentarily coexist beyond geography and fashion, while time flies."