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Opening reception for "Exploring the Achromatic Garden," art by Aaron Lai. Exhibit runs from September 9–October 16.
Artist's Statement
I meticulously render flowers, veins, and leaves using pencil and black acrylic paint. These achromatic depictions celebrate the profound interconnectedness of life while inviting contemplation on the delicate balance between growth and decay. Hidden objects, like bones, add mystery and symbolize impermanence. By excluding color, I evoke wonder and curiosity, encouraging viewers to explore themes of transformation, interconnectedness, and the eternal cycle of life and decay within a monochromatic spectrum. This approach invites viewers to forge their own connections with the mysteries of the natural world.
Artist's Bio
I am an artist deeply influenced by surrealistic artwork, specializing in creating visually intriguing and conceptually rich pieces. My work spans various mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and digital media. With a background in illustration and a minor in digital media, I am proficient in traditional and digital techniques, often blending both in my creations.
My art often explores themes of interconnectedness, transformation, and the delicate balance between growth and decay. I meticulously render intricate details using pencil and black acrylic paint, creating achromatic representations of the natural world that celebrate life’s profound interconnectedness. Hidden objects, such as bones, add mystery and symbolize impermanence.
AGE GROUP: | All Ages |
EVENT TYPE: | Exhibits | Arts & Creativity |
The Salt Lake City Public Library's Marmalade Branch is the anchor of a mixed-use project developed as a key part of the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) of Salt Lake City's master plan for the Marmalade/West Capitol Hill area of the city. The neighborhood serves as a gateway to Salt Lake City from the north, and the Marmalade Branch is both a hub for neighborhood gatherings and an important welcome for visitors, highlighting a focus on development in the area. On-street parking is available on 500 North and 300 West, and UTA routes offer service with stops immediately in front of the Library on 300 West.
The two-story Marmalade Branch, designed by Blalock & Partners Architectural Design Studio and completed in early 2016, provides 18,600 square feet of new construction to support a thriving and growing community. The first floor includes the Moka Cafe, featuring local coffee and chocolate; a Creative Lab with the latest maker technologies like 3D printing and music-making software as well as "old school" tech such as sewing machines and a turntable; a flexible Children's area; and the very popular Music and Movies collection. The second floor includes the Adult collection, study rooms for a range of group sizes, and a large, flexible multi-purpose room with tiered seating to allow for a wide variety of events. The multi-purpose room has already been very popular with the community, hosting community feedback sessions, film screenings, TEDx events, music recitals, and the highly-popular Coffee and Chocolate Society. The second floor also features a wrap-around terrace offering views of the Capitol Building to the east, Salt Lake City's picturesque skyline and landscape to the south and, to the north, views to a public plaza and open green space as part of a new mixed-use development.
The project utilizes an exterior shading device along the west-facing glass to minimize solar heat gain yet still promote a dynamic interaction with the street and passersby. Its compact footprint reduces land use and allows for a high-performance building envelope. The use of LED lights, lighting control systems, occupancy sensors, and daylight harvesting reduce the amount of electrical energy consumption while the flood of natural light creates an inviting interior environment for patrons and an efficient, balanced workplace for staff. In honor of these sustainability features, the Marmalade Branch was awarded the LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
