Paintings by Roberto Zavala · Exhibit runs from May 6- June 20
Between the City and the Dessert; Masterpieces and the Time Machine
Between the city and the desert you will find the state of Utah, several National Parks, urbanism, dreams, design, architecture, landscape, light and rivers.
Before I came to U.S. I had the opportunity to work on diverse projects in architecture and civil engineering. These projects afforded me the opportunity to acquire the ability to create precise technical drawings. Afterwards, I worked on architectural restoration projects that opened doors into the study of history, which spurred me to investigate art and literature of my own accord. My in depth studies created the opportunity to travel through time and space while studying other cultures and the evolution of their artistic expression. For example, in order to fine-tune my intention for the recreation of The Mona Lisa, I read books about Leonardo DaVinci, I also read historical writings about the time when he was alive, I listened to Italian music from the Renaissance, so that in the end, these encounters with the past resulted in serendipitous connections that brought me the inspiration I sought.
History can offer many different interpretations, it is dependent upon perspective, slight differences become exaggerated when viewed from opposite corners, or from a slight variation in optics or through the filter of opinion. Humankind has spent ages on this planet developing ideals while bearing witness to the creation of cosmos from its very beginning.
The Time Machine is this globe that travels at incredible speeds traversing infinite space…space that can transport you from present to past or to future; to any age, civilization or moment in history.
Synopsis:
Colorado River shows us where we come from…The pictographic art on its walls depict start with the story of where we began. Another of the paintings takes us on a walk through the Mayan Pantheon created by the good Itzamna to share with us a sacred place. While in the opposite coast Oriental Dragons with their unlimited power share their energy and blessings. Next, we are transported to the 1600’s and the time of Vermeer; the 1800’s of Manet; the 1900’s of Rivera, and to the present century (2000) of Messi…once again brining us back to the point where we started, the desert, the city, the present and today. And so, it is through this exhibition that we are able to travel together, to pause and to share in each of these moments through the magic of the time machine.
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).
