4 interactive art installations to visit in Salt Lake

4 interactive art installations to visit in Salt Lake


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SALT LAKE CITY — Throughout Utah, public spaces have been enhanced by art installations. These pieces get dirty from the grime in the air, touched by the hands that pass, and, in some cases, sat upon or leaned against by someone who needs to take a rest.

One installation, "Cloud," a public art display in Dixie State University's commons, has been recognized as one of the 50 best in the nation by the Public Art Network. Forming a pixelated cloud, the installation is made up of 11,840 notebooks that students and staff can check out and write or draw in during their allotted time with the books.

If you're in the mood to check out some interactive installation art outside of a museum, here are five to check out in Salt Lake City.

Temporary Museum of Public Change

Don't be deceived by the name of this first installation. TMPC has installed large metal frames along Broadway (300 South) from about 200 West to 200 East in Salt Lake City that house a new art installation every couple of months.

The art, created by local artists of various mediums, is intended to "comprise a new way of seeing our capital city during the intense construction processes."

Camera Obscura

This large multi-piece installation sits on the grounds of the South Salt Lake Community College campus on State Street and 1500 South. The large camera obscura — the early frontrunner to the modern camera — is large enough to be entered, whereas the smaller one rotates and views its surroundings from a perch.

"Cloud" by Christian Moeller. (Photo: Paul Richer)
"Cloud" by Christian Moeller. (Photo: Paul Richer)

Check out the entire exhibit at the SLCC New Media Center.

TRAX Stations

Transit stations can serve the community in more ways than just giving people a ride. In the case of UTA's TRAX stations, they worked with artists to put beautiful and interesting multimedia art pieces at many of their stations. Equipped with a little information about each installation, taking a ride on the light rail quickly becomes an exploration of the city's art, too.

Unlike many art pieces, however, some of these installations have been designed to double as seating. At Gallivan Plaza, for example, you can take a seat on red sandstone sculptures. Similarly, at the Salt Lake Central Station, copper suitcases peek out of large rocks, taking the spot of benches.

But don't just look for a place to sit at TRAX stations. Be sure to look at the shelters and sometimes even out into the parking lot. At City Central, you'll see honey bees affixed to surfaces throughout the platform, and at the Temple Square station, glass in the shelter has been painted to reflect the Great Salt Lake. Further south, at Murray North's station, you'll find abstract sculptures.

Benches by Cliff Garten

These bronze and wood benches were installed in 2001 on the northwest corner of 200 South and Main Street, on the east and west sides of 250 South and Main Street and and the southwest corner of 100 South and Main Street.

While some reflect nature's biomorphic shapes, others are more modern and geometric.

According to the Salt Lake Public Art Project, Garten collaborated with Sam Weller's Bookstore to determine what text would be carved on the benches in front of the business.

We know there are many more interactive exhibits out there. If you have a recommendation for an art installation, let us know in the comments section.

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UtahLifestyle
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

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