Random Rambler: Utah Museum of Fine Arts

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is a beautiful museum on the U of U Campus. It features, well, fine art. One of our friends wanted to see the Himalayan Exhibit that they currently have on display and since we had never been here before, we though sure! I am kind of kicking myself for not coming here before now. We have done the Leonardo before, but that pales in comparison to this.

Quick Details:

Length: It is 2 floors, but not super huge.
Trail Type: Wander
Difficulty: DR2. It is accessible.
Elevation Gain: 1 floor.
Restroom: Several.
Dogs? No.
Other Info: Fee area: $19.95 for adults.

To Get Here:

Take i80 to 7th east and head north. Turn right on 5th South. Turn left on Campus Center Dr. Just past Rice Eccles Stadium. Use the first exit in the roundabout to South Campus Dr. Turn left on 1725 E. And it will be on the left, parking on the right. If the road starts curving to the east, you went to far.

The Adventure:

UMFA. Why do all museums seem to have an acronym? Like the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. Well, I guess the Natural History Museum of Utah doesn’t so I guess not all of them do, but it does seem fairly common.

It is in a building called the Marcia and John Price Museum Building.

The main sign.

Now that is a neat sculpture.

After paying our admission, we started in the Great Hall where Stone on Boundary by Onishi Yasuaki was currently on display. We all thought it was particularly neat!

It is really neat!

It is made of 5000 copper foil molds of river rocks from Osaka, Japan, and Salt Lake City. It says Japan supplied the world with copper for over 200 years, and here in Utah we have the largest open-pit copper mine, Kennecott.

It is particularly neat when the lighting hides the wires.

Looking up.

Dip.

The other side.

Looking up again.

Detail.

Into the special Exhibitions section where the Himalayan Exhibit is currently.

Not sure if both rooms, or just that back room is call the Dolores Dore Eccles and and Frank Sanguinetti Exhibition Wing. I am guessing just that back room. anyway, the point is, you may notice the Eccles names on a lot of art stuff around the city, and especially up here at the U. Such as: Rice Eccles Stadium, The George S Eccles 2002 Legacy Bridge, The Eccles Wildlife Center, etc, etc. They made the Eccles Foundation that donates a lot to arts and other stuff.

Some neat statues.

I didn’t catch if there is a more accurate name for this than sideboard, but it is pretty.

Symbols.

I was drawn into the North American Exhibit. When I think art museum this is the kind of thing that comes to mind.

Neat side table.

Some portraits.

The hall again.

Wilhelmina Pass, Weber Canyon, Utah. By Thomas Moran. Circa 1873 - 1880.

I am struggling to figure out exactly where in Weber Canyon this is.

View of the Salt Lake Valley by Henry Lavender Adolphus Culmer. Circa 1911 - 1914.

I am trying to pinpoint the view of this is from. I am leaning towards Ensign Peak, or somewhere about that area.

The Great Salt Lake. I did not grab a shot of the info sign and I forgot where this was from, but it looks like Farmington Bay to me.

Back to the Himalayan Exhibit.

Skull cup.

Nepal circa 18th century.

Materials: Metalwork and human skull.

It is pretty metal.... material and coolness.

We have a statue that is very similar to this one, though it is ceramic.

This one is a Medicine Buddha. Mongolia, 18th century.

The tools they use to make Tibetan Scroll Paintings (Thangkas).

The process for making Lost-wax metal-casting.

Heading upstairs. You can see a little bit of Stone on Boundary spilling out above the stairs.

Speaking of, you can see if from the middle landing as well.

Panoramic.

From the top of the stairs.

Into the Global Contemporary Art Exhibit.

Well, this is interesting. I didn’t think to get a shot of the info sign though.

But, I did find a postcard of it in the gift shop. this is Discarded Memories by Chakaia Booker. Mixed media, 2008.

Yes, this pile of candy was one of the artworks. I forget what it was called, but the sign invited you to have a piece and think about the flavor. It did feel a little weird to just grab a piece of the art and pop it in my mouth, but as I said, the sign told me to.

This is pretty.

Some more neat paintings.

Reclaiming old racist art on products that were for sell not too long ago.

Into the African Exhibit.

Different masks.

Vessels and containers.

More masks.

Into the Pacific Exhibit.

Various art.

Interesting poles.

I guess the Dolores Dore Eccles and Frank Sanguinetti Exhibition Wing covers both floors.

This was trippy.

Another mask.

Neat scroll.

It was way more quiet upstairs than it was downstairs, like pin drop quiet. The sound of my camera shutter seemed way way louder than it normally is and I got self conscious, so I stopped taking pictures of the info signs at some point, which sucks because I don’t remember the significance of a lot of the things. But, I do appreciate seeing it.

Another neat mask.

Another view into the Great Hall with Stone on Boundary again.

It was around here that it dawned on me that they specifically built the Great Hall for these larger than life art works that are best viewed form different angles. This particular art work really works well in the space.

Another large statue.

Another view into the Great Hall.

Down into the dip.

Into the Salt Exhibit.

I forget the artist currently on display, but I liked the mixed media.

Into the South Asian Exhibit.

Neat statues.

Into the Japanese Exhibit.

Neat statue.

Another view into the Great Hall.

Entering the Portrait Hall.

I love that they separated the exhibits by colors.

With a random neat statue.

These are neat.

Neat portraits.

Another view into the Great Hall.

Stone on Boundary is definitely neat to see from the various angles offered.

I was particularly fond of this one. Her eyes seemed to follow me.

Another neat one.

Into the Ancient Mediterranean,

Neat tilework.

Sarcophagus.

Roman, Italy, Late roman Empire. Circa: 325 - 330.

Entering the Egyptian Exhibit.

Sarcophagus.

A miniature reproduction showing how they work.

From the other side.

Some hieroglyphics.

The two exhibits I was really interested were super small unfortunately.

Moving on to the European Exhibit.

Neat.

I particularly like this one too.

Wall of art.

This one is neat too.

This one is neat as well.

I didn’t get a clear enough shot of the info card, but I do remember it explained that this was an example of reimagining the relation of major landmarks. In other words, there is no perspective that ever showed all of these buildings so close. I have seen modern examples of this, generally in memorabilia for cities or states.

Here is a fun modern Utah example. This appears to show a rock formation from all 5 of our National Parks, which can be hundreds of miles from each other.

Statue.

The Mexican and Central & South America Exhibits are not set up at this time.

Stone on Boundary overflowing into the stairway.

Downstairs as well.

The main art piece again.

We were all pretty much done as they started to announce the 15 minute to closing. So we made our way to the gift shop.

I was a little sad not to find much UMFA logoed items. I like to collect magnets of places we go. I did find a cute Andy Warhol doll magnet, but, that really doesn’t convey what we saw today. I eventually settled on a postcard of 'Discarded Memories' I can stick to the fridge with the Warhol magnet.

I love that they are all inclusive with the restrooms. Fuck anybody who thinks they need to police peoples gender. Just wash your hands and mind your business you weirdos.

Neat statue outside.

I missed this neat sign on the way in.

View of the mountains from the parking lot.

We decided that we would all meet back up at Shanghai Café for dinner. Which we had just rediscovered last time we were out here and loved. Sadly we heard that they are being forced to close their doors at the end of July. The property owner wants to tear it all down and build condos or apartments. We all are going to miss having a good vegetarian place! I hope the owners decide to open a new location.

Passing by Rice Eccles Stadium (PSP). Don’t mind the cherry drippings. Having fruit trees is a blessing and a curse.

A deer in Mount Olivet Cemetery (PSP). Not really a rare thing thing to see there.

The Fun Times Kids Kare Building (PSP). This kooky building has become the subject of lore. I just think it is kooky.

As I said I think it is just kooky, but maybe one of these days I will get out and take better photos.

The Shanghai Café (PSP). Sadly, someone stole their air conditioner, and it was a little more hot than all of us would like, but the food was so good! I think I am going to try to squeeze in at least one more trip. Or, well, maybe we will do takeout if it is a hot day. I can understand if they are not super motivated to replace the AC if they are being kicked out next month.

Well, that was another amazing adventure with our friends! We got in some nice culture. Saw some neat art, enjoyed each others company, then had a nice dinner at a long loved café. 8 out of 10 squirrels.