Black Cherry Market, a family-owned, Mediterranean grocery store, just moved to a new location. Which means it is time for a visit!
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Our panel of judges and readers decided the winners of the 2022 Farm to Glass Cocktail Contest, which featured 15 of SLC's best bartenders.
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I’m here to testify. Salt Lake City rocks on a Tuesday night! The unknown legend Mike Campbell and his Dirty Knobs played to a packed house at The Commonwealth Room on Oct. 18, 2022. For me this show offered a personal musical bookend. I first saw Mike Campbell on my 16th birthday in July of 1978. He was the lead guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who opened for those bad boys from Boston, the J. Geils Band at the now defunct “sweat box” (The Cape Cod Coliseum in South Yarmouth, Mass.). Through the haze of reefer smoke, I witnessed one of my first great rock ’n’ roll shows. At 16, there was no place I’d rather be.
Fast forward to 1987. I saw Campbell and Petty again when they opened for Bob Dylan in London. That night, a rare hurricane-like storm hit the city and nearly blew the roof off the bed and breakfast where I slept happily exhausted from a night of youthful exuberance (but that’s a tale for another day). The J.Geils Band broke up after they released their 1981 hit album, Freeze Frame. And, tragically, Petty left us in 2017. And now we fast forward once again to the Commonwealth Room where Campbell was the last rocker standing from that memorable 1978 show of my youth.
Campbell, and his band the Dirty Knobs, have been busy opening for The Who in arenas across the country. Lucky for us, Campbell, at 72, made a detour to the Commonwealth Room to play for a smaller Salt Lake City audience. My impossible task is to report on the highlights of his performance. He played 20 songs over 2.5 hours, well past the last TRAX train home. Temporarily stranded, but happy, I felt 16 again. And, just like that legendary show in 1978, there was no place I’d rather be.
For those hungry, old-school rockers looking for something fresh, never fear, “new” classic rock exists. The Dirty Knobs released two new albums in 2020 and 2022. They opened their Commonwealth Room show with “Wicked Mind” from their 2022 release External Combustion. and played “Irish Girl” from 2020’s Wreckless Abandon. Artists will cover Petty for decades to come, but Campbell does more. As his co-writer for 40-plus years, Campbell channels Petty’s spirit through new, original tunes. When he played “Irish Girl,” the sympathetic energy of Tom Petty filled the venue. It seems like a wished-for song from a new Petty and the Heartbreakers album that will never come. Petty’s lyricism has rightfully passed to Campbell who already mastered the music.
Campbell played with a youthful zeal and connected frequently with the audience. You could tell there was no place he’d rather be. He gave us a musicology lesson when he brought out a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar and started playing opening riffs to several classic songs that featured the guitar’s sound. We were watching a master class on the history of rock ’n’ roll. For example, he told the crowd he co-wrote a song with Don Henley, but he’d never played it live. Since the Dirty Knobs bassist and guitarist were both in Henley’s solo band and they knew the song well, they agreed to play it for us. I expected “Boys of Summer,” which I knew he co-wrote. Instead, they knocked out an authentic version of Henley’s hit “Heart of the Matter” (another song he co-wrote.) What a bonus!
My thanks to the fan who requested “Electric Gypsy” from External Combustion, a great song I hoped would be on the setlist. Campbell played “Refugee,” an early radio hit he wrote with Petty. In this version, he slowed down the tempo to accentuate Petty’s great lyrics. But, when it came to his guitar solo Campbell cranked it up and crafted a beautiful balance of lyricism and high-octane rock ’n’ roll. “Running Down a Dream” ended the setlist and included a Campbell-esque guitar solo where he playfully inserted Neil Young’s “Like a Hurricane” riff. The chord progression flowed naturally between the two songs. Campbell kept it loose all evening. In my mind, he was paying homage to my London hurricane misadventure!
For the encore Campbell asked the audience what they wanted to hear. Someone shouted “Little Queenie” and on cue, the band tore into that Chuck Berry classic. They also played an extended Bo Diddley, 12-bar blues medley, featuring “Road Runner,” “Who Do You Love,” and “You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover.” And, in the finale, they snuck in a chorus of Skip James’ 1931 Delta blues “I’m So Glad.” The crowd joyously sang along. Though it may have been a nod to the 1966 Cream remake, I’d like to think the Commonwealth crowd was singing a 91 year old Delta blues number. This proves that the blues will never die.
Alvin Youngblood Hart, who opened the show, was a case in point. He schooled the audience in his electrified Delta blues in the old-school tradition. “Big Mama’s Door” and “Highway 61” felt like modern, amplified versions of old resonator classics. Yet, “Big Mama’s Door,” is an original Hart composition. He ended his eight song set with an obscure Rolling Stones song “Child of the Moon.” He stripped away most of the psychedelic 1968 layers to reveal a raw, blues rocker. (For you Rolling Stones trivia geeks like me, “Child of the Moon” was the B-side of the 45 RPM single “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”) Thanks Alvin Youngblood Hart for reacquainting me with a B-side treasure from my childhood.
For those 500 or so lucky patrons who witnessed the master guitarist and rock legend Mike Campbell ply his craft at the Commonwealth Room, tag and post your pictures or videos. You can’t let such an epic show go by unnoticed. Here’s the feeds: @stateroompresents (#stateroompresents), @mikecampbellofficial, @slmag
- Who: Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
- What: External Combustion tour
- Where: The Commonwealth Room
- When: October 18, 2022
Utah’s much more than The Mighty 5. Sure, its famous national parks — Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capital Reef National Park, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park — are must-sees, but spectacular scenes don’t end at the parks’ boundaries.
Just beyond their star-studded borders, you’ll find equally-impressive red-rock slot canyons, sandstone cliffs and limestone plateaus. What these less-popular locales lack in national designation they make up for with easy access, peaceful meandering and uninterrupted wilderness delight.
Famous: Capitol Reef National Park
Nearby Fave: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument sits in the same sun-drenched Utah backcountry as Capital Reef National Park. The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12 (from the north) leads travelers through colorful sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, picturesque washes and seemingly endless slickrock. Hike highlights include Lower Calf Creek Falls and Peek-a-boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons.
Set up basecamp in Escalante, which perches on the edge of Grand Staircase National Monument. Pamper yourself in one of Yonder Escalante’s luxury cabins, Airstreams or RV sites, and dine farm-to-table style at Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm in Boulder, Utah.
Famous: Zion National Park
Nearby Fave: Snow Canyon State Park
After a visit to Snow Canyon’s Navajo sandstone cliffs that share the same history and geology as Zion National Park to the east, you may find yourself wondering why it’s not designated as a national park. Snow Canyon State Park is a hit with families and all levels of road cyclists, rock climbers and hikers.
Set up basecamp in St. George, just a short 10 miles away. Book a room at Red Mountain Resort, golf at Sand Hollow Resort, relax at the Green Valley Boutique Hotel and Spa, and dine at Wood Ash Rye.
Famous: Bryce Canyon National Park
Nearby Fave: Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest
As Bryce Canyon’s lesser-known neighbor, Red Canyon inherits road travelers en route to the national park, but stuns them when Scenic Byway 12 runs directly through two red-rock arch tunnels. The highway displays orange-red pinnacles, spires, columns and hoodoos. Unlike Bryce, Red Canyon welcomes mountain bikers, off-roaders and horseback riders.
If glamping is your style, you’re in luck. Under Canvas recently opened its newest luxury experience Under Canvas Bryce Canyon just 15 minutes outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. Check undercanvas.com for availability.
Famous: Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park
Nearby Fave: Dead Horse Point State Park
Oh, the views! The panorama from Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world. Smack dab in the middle of Moab’s two national parks, Dead Horse’s slender peninsula of land extends off the massive plateau that is home to Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district. If you crave arches, hike to Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch just outside of Arches National Park.
Reserve a campsite or yurt at any one of Dead Horse Point State Park campgrounds. Take in the spectacular star show from this International Dark Sky Park. Or take the more luxe route by booking a room at Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa in Moab and dining at any one of downtown Moab’s brew pubs, pizzerias, Thai, or sushi restaurants.
The regulatory body over alcohol sales in Utah is touting a new, cuddlier image. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Department is out. Now, it’s the Department of Alcohol Beverage Services. That’s right, they’re here to serve us—the drinkers. The DABC DABS has a new online ordering system and a version of wine subscriptions in the works, but it’s hard to give everyone what they want, and our local liquor stores might not carry your spirit of choice. In that spirit (see what we did there?), Salt Lake Magazine has put together this handy guide to the “service-oriented” special ordering process to acquire your favorite tipple.
The latest from the DABS
While the promised, more user friendly, DABS ordering system is still in the works, Utah’s version of wine of the month clubs has arrived. Boutique wine broker Vin7000 announced that they were the only way for Utahns to experience popular wine clubs, and it seems like that might be the case, at least for right now. Utah law forbids direct-to-consumer shipping of alcohol to Utah residents (although Utah winemakers can ship it to consumers out of state), but the Utah State Legislature recently budged on that front…sort of. Now, Utah residents can theoretically sign up for wine of the month clubs, but they have to ship their orders to a state liquor store and pay an 88% markup.
According to the announcement from Vin7000, they deal exclusively with small, independent, family-owned wineries and wines that are typically limited production and not otherwise available in Utah. Currently, customers can choose from six wine clubs to join, through the DABS ordering system, and their regular shipments are delivered to the Utah State Liquor Store of their choice.
The bar scene is dealing with red tape as well. At the most recent DABS meeting, the regulatory body gave out no new full-bar licenses to the 11 businesses trying to acquire them, and the DABS might have only one available to dole out come the next meeting. Two bars are currently ready to go and operating with tavern licenses (which means they can serve low-point beer), West Side Tavern and Fisher Brewing Company in Salt Lake City. Of the bars that will be ready to open and operate in the upcoming weeks or months, there’s LBGTQ+ club called Verse, hoping to expand the list of Utah’s diverse nightlife options. The next DABS meeting will is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2022.
Are you enamored with the Beehive state’s ludicrous liquor laws? Read a full history of drinking in Utah here.
Once relegated to garden parties and summer soirees, red wine spritzers are now a favorite for fall, thanks in part to bitters.
Forget its lowbrow reputation and remember it’s a favorite Spanish refresher. Switch out the traditional lemon soda for a splash of seltzer and amp the sophistication with a dash of bitters. Instantly, the red wine spritzer becomes a great fall sipper. Red wine gives it more body and substance than a white wine cocktail and, of course, lends a festive color. The bitters add backbone to the low-alcohol drink, perfect for casual gatherings. Give it a hint of the holidays by stirring with a cinnamon stick.
What You’ll Need
4 ounces medium-body red wine
4 ounces soda water
4 dashes orange bitters
½ ounce orange juice
Orange peel garnish
Utah Gets Even Bitter
Americans—and especially Utahns—are famous for their sweet tooth. But we’re learning to love sweet’s opposite: bitter as in the astringent taste that comes in bitters. Maybe it started with the radicchio and arugula craze of the ’80s. That has settled into a permanent relationship but perhaps it broadened our palate to include bitterness.
The popularity of Amaro, Campari, Aperol and Fernet Branca have all increased. In San Francisco, a favorite drink is Fernet and ginger beer and I have a friend whose regular drink is a Coors Banquet with a shot of Fernet. (Yes, odd. We all think so.) This category has exploded. No longer do we have to choose between Angostura and Peychaud’s. In Utah alone there are several bitters-makers—Bitters Lab, Grandeur View Bitters and Honest John Bitters that make dozens of flavored bitters.
It is a little-known fact that my first job out of high school was as a barista in the coffee shop at Barnes & Noble. I won’t say the name, but it rhymed with “Barstucks.” So let’s pause here to say a little prayer of appreciation for baristas who have to deal with grumpy people ravenous for their daily caffeine fix. They deserve all the tips.
As an 18-year-old barista, I grew to loathe pumpkin spice season. We could spot a no-fat pumpkin spice latte, extra foam, walking through the door. As a matter of fact, and this might make me some enemies, I still don’t like pumpkin spice in anything other than pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin spice anything has been commercialized by big brands to the point that it is ubiquitous and cloying. This is the hill I will die on.
So to fight the good fight, I spent three hours touring six local coffee shops, drinking nine lattes, and winding up over-caffeinated in a blissful pastry food coma to compile a list of great non-pumpkin spice beverages. Here are some local, seasonal, and genuinely spicy alternatives to the pumpkin spice latte. You can find my Google List with all the locations here.
Old Cuss Cafe
If ever anyone deserved a prize for most perseverance in opening a small business, Old Cuss Cafe wins my nomination. They had a true roller coaster leading up to the opening of their physical location. And this spot won my heart.
More than a coffee shop, this warm, mountain-man-style cafe serves plant-based food, craft coffee, and a rotating menu of seasonal fare. I felt like I was in the coziest warm cabin around a wood-fired stove with perfect autumn vibes.
Your Coffee Order: Black Marshmallow Latte; house-made toasted marshmallow syrup, activated charcoal, oat milk. This latte has that sweet campfire-y taste with mellow espresso. (Seasonal)
Runners-up include the smashed pumpkin latte and the local pumpkin cider. (Seasonal)
What To Eat: Mom’s Jam n’ Biscuit with a homemade biscuit, vegan butter, and of course, mom’s jam.
Visit:
Tuesday–Thursday
7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday
7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2285 S Main Sreet, South Salt Lake, UT 84115
Sugar House Coffee
I’ll let you in on a secret… when I worked at the Barnes & Noble in Sugar House, I wandered across the street to Sugar House Coffee to get my daily brew. “Barstucks” didn’t do it for me.
A couple of moves later, I’m so delighted that Sugar House Coffee is still around and still the warm, welcoming, inclusive classic coffee shop that it has always been. The lines are long here but don’t be intimidated; they move fast, and the staff is warm and chatty.
Your Coffee Order: Golden Graham; Chai, white chocolate, brown sugar, espresso. This may sound like a toothache in a cup, but Sugar House Coffee’s lattes are not too sweet. Their chai is spicy, the white chocolate adds a sweet note, and the brown sugar is just enough to make it taste warm and golden. (Regular Menu Item)
What To Eat: Porridge served with steamed milk. Hot porridge shouts fall to me. And the porridge here includes chia, hemp, flax seeds, dried fruit, oats, and whole nuts and is topped with hot steamed milk and coconut. It is delicious and filling and pairs perfectly with a latte.
Visit:
Sun
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Mon-Sat
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
2011 South 1100 East SLC, Utah 84106
Cupla Coffee
It was my first time inside Cupla Coffee in downtown Salt Lake City. They have a couple of other locations in Park City and Cottonwood Heights.
With house-roasted coffee, they have several unique signature drinks that are well worth checking out.
Your Coffee Order: The Scotty; espresso, house-made butterscotch, whole milk, and white pepper. I made a special trip just for this drink. And it was well worth it. They didn’t go overboard with the syrup, so it wasn’t too sweet, and the foil of the white pepper added the perfect amount of spice. Let me tell you, white pepper belongs on coffee. It’s basically my new obsession. (Regular Menu Item)
What To Eat: If you are craving pumpkin, they have some seasonal pumpkin bread that looks fluffy and delicious.
Visit:
Daily 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(Downtown Location) 175 W 200 S Salt Lake City, 84101
The Rose Establishment
The Rose establishment is one of the most beautiful coffee shops in Salt Lake City. Worth it for the ambiance alone. Bonus: their food, baked goods, and coffee are always on point.
They have a tempting selection of seasonal beverages and seasonal baked goods, so always do a little menu exploring when you stop by.
Your Coffee Order: Harvest Latte; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, fenugreek, house, vanilla syrup, milk, espresso. This is as close as you’ll get to a pumpkin spice latte on this list. But this pearl of a latte is so much more complex with the addition of the floral-anise flavor of the fenugreek with the sweetness of the vanilla bean syrup. (Seasonal)
What To Eat: Pumpkin Sandwich Cream Cookie. By the way, this was delicious dunked in the Harvest latte. It was the perfect little pumpkin treat. (Seasonal)
Visit:
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
8 a.m. – 3p.m.
400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Mestizo Coffeehouse
Mestizo Coffee House should be on your radar. A Latino-style coffee shop, they have the best spicy lattes in town if you like actual heat in your coffee.
Your Coffee Order: Mexican Mocha. I generally steer clear of mochas; they feel like a dessert rather than a caffeine delivery system. But the Mexican mocha here is made with bitter chocolate and, of course, warming spices like cayenne. They also serve it with a chocolate-covered espresso bean which feels like a bonus surprise treat. (Regular Menu Item)
What To Eat: Be sure to get an empanada while here.
Visit:
Daily 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
631 W North Temple, Ste. 700 Salt Lake City, UT 84116
The People’s Coffee
I used to be a regular at The People’s Coffee. My husband and I would stroll down on a Sunday, get a coffee, and sit to read the New York Times travel section. It was our version of church. But then we moved, a pandemic happened, and they moved. So I hadn’t been back in about a year. Trust me, I will be making a point of stopping back in more often. The people watching at their new location is first-rate. And the coffee is delicious as well.
Your Coffee Order: Pumpkin Latte; house-made pumpkin syrup that contains *gasp* actual pumpkin, plus spices. If you really must have pumpkin-spice-something, this is the latte for you. (Seasonal)
What To Eat: Pear Danish. This was my coffee-tasting journey’s perfectly flaky, creamy, sweet end. (Seasonal)
Visit:
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday
8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
177 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
If you aren’t in the mood for coffee, how about a moon milk?
On October 15th, Park City hosted their sixth annual Shot Ski event to reclaim the world record from Breckenridge.
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Attended by researchers, policymakers, state and federal leaders and other lake stakeholders, the second annual Great Salt Lake Summit convened Thursday. Presenters tried to outline progress that has been made to save the lake since the last summit and experts explained the threat, Utah’s water sources, trends and cycles, and discussed possible solutions.
The Great Salt Lake is at a historical low elevation. Should the Great Salt Lake continue to follow the current trend and dry out, the environmental, economic and ecological impacts would be devastating. The increased dust would worsen Utah’s air quality and introduce more particulate matter, including heavy metals and arsenic, to the air. The industries that depend on the lake, like magnesium mining and aquaculture harvesting, could dry up as well. The life that dwells in and relies on the lake are already in decline.
Presenters Dr. William Anderegg, Director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, and Dr. Brian Steed, Executive Director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water & Air, surmised, if we act now, with interventions, the lake can return to healthy levels over the next 30 years. However, we have to recognize that human activity and water consumption are the dominant contributors to the Great Salt Lake’s dramatic drop in water level (from 67-73%). And of that water consumption, agriculture interests divert the most water from the Great Salt Lake. The difficulty of addressing this challenge is multiplied when we consider that Utah is projected to double in population in the next 4-5 decades. In short, Utah needs to dramatically change the way it diverts and consumes water, mostly by using a whole lot less of it than we are now.
“I am proud of the work we have done and the progress that has been made, but we still have a long way to go,” said Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, who hosted the summit. “Protecting and preserving the Great Salt Lake is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take a continuous effort for many years, from government, the private sector, and all Utahns. And while we may never fully see the impacts of our work, this is simply a race we cannot afford to lose.”
Wilson began the summit by referencing a recent Deseret News and Hinckley Institute of Politics poll that found that 80% of Utahns are either “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about the Great Salt Lake, which seems to show public support is behind efforts to stave off the lake’s demise. So far, those efforts have included throwing some money at the problem, including a $40 million trust to increase water for Great Salt Lake and improve the lake’s upstream habitat, created by the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program (H.B. 410). The Utah legislature also appropriated $50 million in 2022 (to supplement $20 million in funding appropriated in November 2021 and the Agricultural Water Optimization Task Force created in 2018) for agricultural water optimization to reduce water use.
At the summit, Speaker Wilson announced his intent to introduce legislation to create “Utah Water Ways,” which he described as a nonprofit, public-private partnership with the mission to help educate all Utahns on how they can do their part to conserve water.
But there is much more to do to build on the State’s piecemeal approach, including the retrofitting of landscapes away from traditional turf and new practices to avoid over-watering. Wastewater reuse might not be the answer, given that water is depleted in the recycling process, but it could have its place, according to Candice Hasenyager, Director of Utah Division of Water Resources. Cloudseeding could also play a part. Steed explained that further examination is also needed of how to keep agriculture production up while using much less water. A pipeline from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Salt Lake probably isn’t the most feasible option.
To conserve water, experts hit on the need for more education, incentives and regulation. While many of the State’s water-wise incentive programs are just barely up and running, when it comes to regulation, “Every municipality needs to be looking at their water ordinances,” said Bart Forsyth, Director of Jordan Valley Water Conservancy. He added that there should not be any new building construction without planning for water optimization.
The cycle of life—birth, survival and decay—is an experience shared by every living organism on the planet. As much as humans strive to separate themselves from each other and the natural world, our tedious stories of existence bind us all in an inseparable chain of kinship. This relationship between humans and natural systems is constantly scrutinized by philosophers, scientists, and, of course, artists. Currently on exhibit at Modern West, three Utah artists bring their work together to present INTERWOVEN—an intricate examination of organic matter and form.
Despite differences in medium and approach, the works of Kiki Gaffney, Jim Jacobs and Anna Laurie Mackay speak to each other instinctively. All integrate themes of nature, pattern and structure. Jim Jacobs draws his inspiration from the complexity of our environment and its organisms. His sculptural pieces graft everyday items like chairs and baseball bats from wood—an ancestral and enduring material. “Wood has a physicality and a relationship to our bodies and our lives that reaches back to our arboreal past,” says Jacobs. “It lends itself to be metaphors for us, our social and political idiosyncrasies, and our peculiar role in nature.”
Through his careful technique of splintering and joining, familiar shapes transcend their base form as merely usable objects. Instead, their bold deconstructions offer insight into our storied history with the natural world. Take his piece Breach for example, which Jacobs created using long strips of laminated and carved maple to shape a baseball bat. “One reason I titled it Breach is because its gesture reminds me somewhat of the angle of a whale as it thrusts its head out of the water,” he says. Although made from organic material, the piece is far from a sedate representation of nature. Erratic swirling forms confer a feeling of chaos—an intentional interpretation by Jacobs. “The work was also influenced by the fact that baseball is such a strong American icon and that some January 6th insurrectionists attacked the Capitol with baseball bats.”
Jacobs’ process of deconstruction and restoration is echoed by fellow artist Anna Laurie Mackay, who methodically cuts and weaves thin strips of tissue paper to arrange landscapes. “Jim’s work is about pushing the limitations of wood and changing the properties of how it behaves in a similar way that I am pushing paper to behave like a textile,” says Mackay. Painstakingly layered and braided, her work in INTERWOVEN takes inspiration from place—more specifically, The Great Salt Lake. “The Lake is an endless source of wonder and inspiration to me,” says Mackay. “It speaks of beauty, austerity, memory, loss and longing in a way that I find continual fascination with.” Her piece Hazed Lake reflects the melancholy cool tones of the lake’s fading blue waters, contrasted with warmer shades of maroon and purple. “I wanted to push the subject further into abstraction and make the work more about the surface, the colors and the materials,” she says.
Just as Jacobs and Mackay create using elements found in their natural surroundings, Kiki Gaffney is drawn to the repetition, pattern and tension inherent in our environment. Her multi-media works reflect nature’s careful balance of order and chaos using graphite, gold or silver leaf and glitter. “I like the level of detail and precision I can achieve with [graphite] and materials like gold or silver reflect and shift the light, which can shift the perspective of the work,” she says.
Gaffney’s colorful interpretations beckon us to contemplate the inner workings of systems, both human-made and organic. “There’s so much that we don’t see,” she says. “What’s happening underground? Above? Many systems are at play in terms of growth, decay and communication.” Her collage-style piece, Layers of Time, offers a different perspective on a recognizable Utah landscape, Capitol Reef National Park. The upper half of the piece appears as a photographic reflection of the mountain, then dissolves into geometric waves and a grid system in the lower half. The contrast of natural and human-designed systems explores the link between them, and invites viewers to slow down and contemplate the details.
INTERWOVEN is a thoughtful approach to understanding our intrinsic relationship with nature. Whether through organic materials that make up our tools and furniture, landscapes that connect us to physical space, or natural patterns we replicate in our society. You can see the exhibit at Modern West’s gallery space now until November 4.
