THE SUM OF ITS PARTS `JASPER JOHNS: NUMBERS' INCORPORATES 30 WORKS, A SINGLE THEME AND NO SHORTAGE OF THEORIES ON THE NATURE OF ART.(U) From: Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) | Date: February 12, 2004 | COPYRIGHT 2004 Daily News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Byline: Steve Rosen Correspondent

The new Jasper Johns exhibition at Los Angeles County Museum of Art is both a rewarding and challenging show.

``Numbers'' is just what its title indicates - the contemporary American artist repeating a single theme, the visual depiction of numerals, in various media over several decades. The earliest work dates from 1955; the latest, 1978. That's a long time to be preoccupied with such a simple, finite subject.

An...