Buzz Blog

Visual Arts
Press Plush
Better head down to GARFO because this excellent exhibit looks like it will be the last at that space. Here’s what City Weekly contributor Brian Staker said about the exhibit: “The gallery continues in its affection for alternative materials with Press Plush, a visual anthology of contemporary soft sculpture, textile and fiber art. Miami artist Frances Trombly uses trompe l’oeil effects to create artifacts of a domestic narrative. The “Mom of Pop Art,” British-born Jann Haworth—known for the Grammy-winning Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper” album art as well as our own “SLC Pepper” mural—creates quilted figures with a cartoonish presence (pictured) that wouldn’t be out of place on the Yellow Submarine. The show traces soft sculpture’s roots in 1960s Pop art and how it has expanded to include installation, sculpture, video, crochet, fiber, inflatable and found object/repurposed material work. Perhaps most unusual, Agustina Woodgate creates sculptures from human hair. The title of the show emphasizes the fact that you might be tempted to give some of these artworks a little squeeze.”
GARFO, Visual Art Institute, 1838 S. 1500 East, 801-474-3796, through June 3, Monday-Thursday, noon-6:30 p.m. or by appointment, Free. VisualArtInstitute.org.

Visual Arts
Mondo Fine Art: Spring Group Show
Celebrate spring with a swinging reception for new works by Mondo artists Aaron Bushnell, Angie Renfro, Carlisle, John Bell, Lane Bennion, Olivia Pendergast, Pilar Pobil, Roland Thompson and Zachary Proctor.
Light Spot Modern Design, 2927 Highland Dr., 801-355-1553, Thursday, April 28, 7-9 p.m., Free, MondoFineArt.com

Film Screening
Park City Film Series: Barney’s Vision
This seriocomic adaptation of Mordecai Richler's award-winning 1997 novel stars Paul Giamatti as Barney, who meets the great love of his life, Miriam, at the most inopportune time imaginable: at the wedding to his second wife. Narrated by Barney as a confessional, the film covers 30 years of his unusual journey -- from his first marriage to a chronically unfaithful free spirit and their life in Italy together, through his third marriage to Miriam, with whom he has two children. Standing in the wings is Barney's father, played by the irascible Dustin Hoffman, who continues to stick by him as his loyal right-hand man.
Jim Santy Auditorium, 1255 Park Avenue, 435-615-8291, Fri.-Sun., April 29-May1, 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat; 6 p.m. Sun., Free.

Books & Authors
Christopher McDougall: Born to Run
Run with Christopher McDougall, author, journalist and athlete, as part of The Naked Tour, and join for a booksigning and Q&A as well. Run will start at 5:30 p.m. at the bookstore, and the reading will start at 7 p.m.
King’s English, 1511 S. 1500 East, 801-484-9100, Tuesday, May 3, 5:30 & 7 p.m., Free.

Recreation
World T’ai Chi and QiGong Day
As part of the annual World T'ai Chi and Qigong Day, celebrated in 60 countries around the globe, University of Utah T’ai Chi instructor, Professor William Parkinson, and participating Utah T’ai Chi and Qigong schools invite everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, to experience these ancient Chinese forms of exercise by joining local practitioners at the annual Utah observance of World T’ai Chi and Qigong Day. Demonstrations to raise awareness of the health benefits of T'ai Chi and Qigong practice will take place throughout the morning.
University of Utah, Marriot Library Plaza, Saturday, April 30, 9:30 a.m., Free