Gallery Stroll: Enjoy Your Own Perspectives

Photo courtesy of the artist and James Fuentes.

Peaceful, thoughtful moments wrapped in color and light with occasional straight-up lunacy—that’s what I hope to get out of my Gallery Stroll experience. I’m not here to give you the elongated, highbrow critique of the art that you’ll see at Gallery Stroll. I’m here to push you out the door and get you into the scene. This month’s Salt Lake Gallery Stroll takes place on Sept. 18. For those who have never strolled, this is a public, free event where many of the city’s galleries hold receptions from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to celebrate their incoming shows. On Saturday, the space will morph back into the quiet gallery you’ve come to expect, but on this night, they’re all gussied up, and it’s show time—at least until 9 p.m.

Art is ingrained in our DNA—it’s a coping mechanism that mankind uses to connect with others while exploring one’s own unique ideas and a way of processing our experiences on Earth. Even after 2,000 years, one can still sense the anxiety and frustrations of the Fremont Indians in their petroglyphs. This month, two artists caught my eye because both are taking historical information and old- world talents and presenting them with new perspectives.

Amalia Ulman’s Stock Images of War gives new perspective to the lingering shadows of objects, sensations and culture left behind in times of war. Ulman’s delicate metal sculptures remind us of the fragility of our society and the balance between who we are and what we become amid war. The smell of warm apple pie wafts amid the gallery, reminding of comfort and peace in bet-

ter times. Feelings of angst and frustration ring through the space with familiar rallying anthems from Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Rage Against the Machine. Stock Images of War runs Aug. 14 through Oct. 31 at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art’s Codec Gallery, located at 20 S. West Temple. UMOCA is open Tue–Thu from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays until 9 p.m. and Saturdays until 6 p.m.

Taking pride in one’s work used to also include penmanship. Artist Skyler Chubak continues that tradition as an artist penman. His work includes calligraphy, engrossing and engraving. With the advent of typewriters, keyboards and, thousands of fonts at the click of a button, the artistry of a penman has been overshadowed by speed and convenience. Chubak’s work seems straightforward; however, the letter is just a backdrop—Chubak creates a work of art around each one. His work will be on display at the God Hates Robots gallery space at 314 W. Broadway Suite 250 starting Sept. 18. For more information on the newest space by local entrepreneurs Ray Childs and Shon Taylor and their unique business model, see the July 2015 SLUG issue, No. 319.

Since ancient times, people have marked the changing of summer to fall with the autumnal equinox. For years, I have marked the equinox with the semiannual Poor Yorick open studios. This event is a great evening of celebrating the mass amount of art created by the tenants of Poor Yorick, while also making room for new art to be created. Catch the show one night only, Saturday, Sept. 26, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Poor Yorick studios at 126 W. Crystal Avenue.

Go out and get your own perspective—go take a stroll.