This UMOCA opening night was a huge success as people continuously piled into the rooms and corridors strewn throughout the building. Photo: talynsherer.com
Reps from Ski Utah post up outside the UMOCA opening to talk shop with passing strangers and locals looking to score some stickers and other swag. Photo: talynsherer.com
Inside the David Brothers exhibit, an art aficionado takes a seat to soak up the pure talent surrounding him. Photo: talynsherer.com
Yoshua Okón’s “Oracle” plays out on the three screens inside a secluded room as a couple gazes in awe at its abstract meaning. Photo: talynsherer.com
A lone woman gets up close and personal with one of David Brothers’ featured pieces from his “Rolithica” collection. Photo: talynsherer.com
Three unique pieces of art from David Brothers’ “Rolithica” gallery make me question every part of my own process as a photographer. Photo: talynsherer.com
One of the larger prints from David Brothers depicts a wandering child caught between two homes. Photo: talynsherer.com
David Brothers (cardigan) describes his process to patrons of all ages. Photo: talynsherer.com
A trio of questioning minds debate the political and social meanings behind Andrew Moncrief’s “A Strange Feeling” exhibit. Photo: talynsherer.com
UMOCA’s entrance display showcases artist Andrew Moncrief’s “A Strange Feeling” paintings which recall Olympian wrestling statues from ancient Greece. Photo: talynsherer.com
A divisive wall on UMOCA’s lower level gives the museum occupants an obstacle to take laps around as they explore the artwork donning the walls and floors. Photo: talynsherer.com
Kathryn Andrews’ “Hobo (Electric 8)” combines a variety of tools including a wide variety of political campaign buttons. Photo: talynsherer.com
Basim Magdy took LiteBrite to a much more serious and reflective level than I could ever imagine. Photo: talynsherer.com
Ivan Argote’s “Blind Kittens” video showcases a groundbreaking battle between two foes. Photo: talynsherer.com
Larissa Sansour taunts us all with her “Palestinauts” that I desperately wanted to smuggle out of the museum via my camera bag. Photo: talynsherer.com
Dan Mills “USE Embassy Documents”dives into the political humor category to poke a bit of fun at the United States foreign policy. Photo: talynsherer.com
The communists have invaded UMOCA and planted their flags as evidence of their presence. Photo: talynsherer.com
A personal favorite came from artist Christoph Buchel’s video titled “America We Stand As One.” Featuring a wide array of overly patriotic lyrics and paraphernalia complemented by Arabic subtitles, this film had it all. Photo: talynsherer.com
As is usually the case at UMOCA, there tends to be a wall that makes me question my own sanity, courtesy of artist Basim Magdy. Photo: talynsherer.com
An endless display of roads less traveled gets featured by artist Paul Crow in his “Here” series. Photo: talynsherer.com
A couple gets intimate as they cuddle up to Paul Crow’s “Trail Two, Autumn” display. Photo: talynsherer.com
A close up look at the imagery being shown by artist Paul Crow is a vivid reminder of the desolate, cold wasteland that the winter blankets over the Utah valley. Photo: talynsherer.com
We all stare in amazement as we are taken to space by artist Larissa Sansour’s “A Space Exodus” video. Photo: talynsherer.com
Dan Mills’ “US Future States Atlas” predicts the future territories being taken over by a foreign invader—in this case, that invader is the United States. Photo: talynsherer.com
A shameless plug for whoever Doctor David Kelly is gets placed in a centralized location on UMOCA’s lower level. Photo: talynsherer.com
A bird’s-eye view of the UMOCA opening. The museum’s occupants provide a cohesive look at some of the many talents to grace the building during opening night. Photo: talynsherer.com
Oliver Herring lets us peek into the creative projects him and his team have been working on developing as they collaborate with other artist in the valley. Photo: talynsherer.com
A U.S. foreign policy document with the title “Hold For Jon Stewart” is perfectly framed among its brethren created by artist Dan Mills. Photo: talynsherer.com
No matter how hard you tried to avoid it, it was nearly impossible not to return to the reflective words of Basim Magdy. Photo: talynsherer.com
This UMOCA opening night was a huge success as people continuously piled into the rooms and corridors strewn throughout the building. Photo: talynsherer.com
The museum-wide UMOCA opening kicked off on Friday night, drawing in hundreds of art lovers from throughout the Salt Lake valley. People from all ages came to check out the masterful works of art created by brilliant minds, such as David Brothers, Yoshua Okón, Andrew Moncrief and Paul Crow. Whether you’re into socio-political commentaries via Arabic music videos or are just craving a hauntingly beautiful tour through a cave representative of the inner workings of an artist’s mind, UMOCA had it all. As the night progressed, the seemingly empty spaces between the works of art began to fill up. It became a struggle to move between the endless crowds of people who were eager to feast their eyes on every bit of art being showcased. In recent years, UMOCA has stepped further into the local spotlight as their featured exhibits have ventured in new realms previously unexplored. If the UMOCA opening was any indication of what is to be expected from the museum in 2016, then I may need to purchase a monthly pass to make frequent visits as new artists are cycled in and out. Much of the work presented on Friday night will be on display for the next few months, giving those who were not fortunate enough to come out and interact with the artists a chance to embrace the work that they have left behind.
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