As movies and books and Mayan lore have warned us: the End of the World may be nigh, 2012 to be exact. Over at the expansive Miami Art Space, large-scale works with a tie to that apocalyptic year are on display in a one-off local show called, appropriately enough, “20(12): Twenty Twelve” (which opened on June 12th with 12 artists).

This warehouse space has already been fitted as an exhibition space, and announces itself with a great multi-colored, checkered outdoor wall. Indoors, artist Kiki Valdes curated the show of mostly large painting, but with a few sculptural elements, including his own.

The works, however, aren’t necessarily dark; they are more about the state of the universe — spiritually and physically — before the big date. For instance, a particular stand out acrylic canvas is from Oliver Sanchez, a colorful figurative painting depicting the over-sized players in the modern world, from pop icons to military dictators to the Buddha — a take in flavor and subject on Socialist Realism. On the other hand, the black-and-white plywood paintings from Freegums (Alvaro Ilizarbe) are more grounded in style and subject in the mythical world of the pre-Columbian era. And yet they are also so contemporary and a little humorous — take a close look at the depictions on “The Great Architect of the Universe.”

The most dramatic piece hangs on the back wall, from George Sanchez-Calderon, a 96″ X 133″ oil on paper called “Vacas Flacas The FKG Devil.” A galleon ship in terrible gray seas is being attacked by even more terrible, towering devils. It’s part comic book, part horror show.

Maybe the most sombre work is the sculpture in the middle of the space, from Valdes: a decaying basketball pole and hoop, lying on its side, covered in spray paint, called “hurricane/erosion hoop dream.” This maybe is the way the world will end, with remnants of what once was a center of activity — the basketball court — now dismembered and inactive and alone.

The show is an interesting mix of artists not always seen around town, and an interesting way to present a group show without it seeming to be completely random.

“20(12): Twenty Twelve” at Miami Art Space through July 7; 244 N.W. 35th St., Miami. By appointment, 786-315-8369; [email protected].