Art
Deep Love @ The Rose Wagner 10.30
With the recommendation to wear funeral attire, I felt it appropriate to give some holiday cheer a go, and decided to attend this rock opera based around a cemetery theme. Before the entertainment began, producers Ryan Hayes and Garrett Sherwood started with a brief disclaimer for the audience, informing us to react to the performance as you would a rock concert. Since most of us probably did not know what to expect from the show, this proved to be efficient in getting the crowd to appropriately respond with cheers, whoops and whistles throughout the evening. … read more
Gallery Stroll – November 2012
The Salt Lake Gallery Stroll takes place the third Friday of every month (with the exception of December, but more on that to come). Having this sort of marker for each month is great for slowing down and checking in with friends and the local arts scene. So, you’ve carved out the time, called up a few friends and are ready to stroll, but where? … read more
Gallery Stroll: A Happy Death
October, my dear old friend, I see you have come to welcome death and darkness in. Goodbye leaves, goodbye flowers, goodbye countless warm hours. Summer, you will be truly missed, but with October’s gentle kiss, I’ll welcome the change and say hello to sweaters and piles of snow. I will not cry, I will not be sad—in fact, I quite enjoy wearing plaid. To celebrate our last of days, I’ll attend galleries and parties and hopefully run into a few goblins or zombies. … read more
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company Presents Four @ The Rose Wagner 09.20
The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company has opened its 2012/2013 season on a bittersweet note with Four. This show marks the official countdown to the exit of artistic director Charlotte Boye-Christensen. This scheduled departure gives the company and Salt Lake City an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the tremendous creativity and personal commitment Boye-Christensen has brought to local dance over the last decade, while she is still with us in her capacity as director. Still, it’s hard not to hear a ticking clock set the cadence for the various pieces that comprise this show. The challenge this production offers, then, is that of maintaining a cool attitude regarding the passage of time. … read more
Gallery Stroll: Where Art Is Born
Gallery Stroll has two sides: that of the formal gallery setting with hardwood floors, track lighting and beautifully polished, hand-selected bodies of work; the other takes us down a dimly lit alleyway to a door with no sign. Inside, you find an artist hard at work—paint splattered on the floor, a faint smell of turpentine, sweat and whiskey lingering—even after the humble incense’s valiant effort to cover it up. The latter is where art is born, the first is where art goes to die. … read more
Dance Dance Evolution: Mudson’s DIY Choreography
In a world where the dance company model is dying and dancing in academia becomes increasingly cutthroat, Ashley Anderson’s Mudson stands as a beacon for local choreographers to show their own work. Anderson says, “I think it is one of few starting points. I don’t think there are a lot of options for people to present their work.” Mudson strictly features works in progress from independent choreographers in the basement of the Masonic Temple, and will begin its third season on Sept. 17. … read more
Saturday’s Voyeur 2012 @ Salt Lake Acting Company 07.27
This is my fourth or fifth year in a row checking out the Salt Lake Acting Company’s yearly satire on Utah living and politics, and after sitting through another Jell-O shot filled night, I was not disappointed. This year, they took a slightly different approach than previous years when they have focused almost entirely on headlines from the year. We found ourselves following the narrative of Nephi Jensen, a lowly LDS accounts auditor, as he comes to grips with his relationship wants, his work needs and his religious must-do’s. Nephi is joined by other LDS office building employees, members of Quorum of the 12 and even Mr. Mitt Romney himself. … read more
Wicked @ Capitol Theatre 07.20
The moment I sat down, I knew this production wasn’t going to be anything like the many low-budget plays I’ve sat through at the University of Utah. A large, animatronic dragon perched above the stage, eyes glowing and head shaking, and a map of Oz and its provinces was projected on the red velvet curtain, the Emerald City shimmering in green. The curtains opened soon after, and I became mesmerized by the beautifully constructed set, dark but colorful, like an apocalyptic sunset. I was taking in the details, mechanical cogs and cranks lining the sides, when I finally gave the characters onstage a good look, only to be completely blown away by their costumes. … read more
Gallery Stroll: Oasis of Art
She calls it “Midwest Meets West”––it reminds me of decor from a Wes Anderson film, the way “sweet” and “edgy” are merged beautifully in Audrey Patten’s paintings, drawings and textiles. I imagine finding this type of artwork tucked away in an elegant farmhouse attic, a mesh of mother’s kitchen knickknacks and father’s old hunting trophies. There’s something familiar about these images, yet they remain wacky and unexpected. … read more
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Gallery Stroll: Never Too Old For Good Art
On July 20, Paper Wasp, with the support of Big Shiny Robot and Blonde Grizzly, will host a “Saturday Morning Cartoons” art show. A true creative community collaboration, this group show originated from conversation between Magen Mitchell of Paper Wasp and Derek Hunter, both participating artists. Blonde Grizzly had the space and Big Shiny Robot loved the idea and offered to sponsor. Mitchell’s husband and Paper Wasp co-founder, Nick Burke, jumped in to help facilitate and curate. … read more