Sunday, February 8, 2009

Duck Sauce as art? You decide.


I continue to hold fast to the knowledge that the BYU Museum of Art is a gem. I guess I am a little biased because I worked in their education department during college - and I love how familiar it feels when I go back. And I never seem to lose interest in their permanent collection: 150 years of American Painting.

But I was again impressed this last Friday evening when we went as a family to see the Dan Steinhilber exhibit. Here is the description from the museum website: Dan Steinhilber creates sculptures and installations with familiar materials ranging from soda, Styrofoam peanuts, duck sauce packets, and drycleaner hangers to electric blowers, disposable containers, garage door openers, and plastic tubes. Steinhilber explores light, form, social tensions and everyday experience. I am sure the kids thought of this as just crazy and fun instead of an art experience - but either way - we really liked it. I don't want to describe it in too much detail because the exhibit is small and I don't want to give anything away. But I will share a small tidbit of top secret information Wes discovered that will eliminate some waiting for impatient children. In the room with the peanuts - there is something behind the screen that will make something happen. That's all I'm going to say.

And no, the gift shop is not selling bottles of soda pop. Look closer.

And since the exhibit is so small - don't deprive yourself or your children of seeing the other exhibits and permanent collections.

And it's free!

4 comments:

Angie said...

Sounds interesting! We might just have to check it out...free is the magic word... :)

Anna said...

We went to this a few weeks ago and I thought it was fabulous. I personally believe the exhibit designer at the MOA is the best I've ever seen. I think it is a gem too.

I LOVED the duck sauce. And I LOVED the packing peanuts. Such a great exhibit!

Anonymous said...

I saw some of that,as we walked through the building to get to the HFAC. I thought of Patrick's famous quote, "If I could do it, its not art." Although it doesn't apply here. The thing he made with hangers was amazing.

Stacie said...

I need to take my family...it's sound pretty cool. You always do such a good job posting on your blog. (I need to be a little better.) I'll have to try some of your recipes, they look yummy.