Gallery MAR is pleased to hang most of our collectors’ works, as a complimentary service. But occasionally we call upon the experts, particularly when it is a tricky hanging job. When we do, we call Dave with Aisling Art Installation.

How did you get into the art installation business and why?

For years I was a finish carpenter to help pay for my skiing career. After that I worked for our family business, Park City Transportation. Than about five years ago a good friend of mine Brian at Peak Art & frame asked me if I would be interested in helping his frame shop by handling all of their installations and deliveries. He knew I had been a carpenter and he needed someone that was skilled and very personable. Until this past summer I was doing installations as a part time job. It was time for me to move on from Park City Transportation and start something new. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do, than a few caring friends encouraged me to start an art installation business. It was something that I enjoyed doing and I was realizing that I had a knack for layout and design. So Aisling Art Installation came to be. I love it! I have found a greater appreciation for art and have become more a part of the community.

What does Aisling mean?

Aisling means vision in Gaelic. I spent about a month looking up thesaurus and domain names to find something that I liked. One day I decided to see if anything translated in Gaelic due to my Irish heritage. I came across Aisling and liked it. For about a week after I kept looking for names and realized I could spend years searching. I narrowed it down to a few things and really loved Aisling Art Installation.

Why does a collector need an installer? Can’t I just hang up my fine art with a hammer and nails?

You want to know that your art is secure; whether the piece of art was an investment or something that was inspiring, even pictures of loving memories. Yes, you can install fine art with a nail and a hammer. Every piece is different; it really depends on how much the piece weighs and what means were put on the piece by the artist to hang it up with. I always carry a wide variety of hangers, nails, screws etc…

What are some basic hanging directions and insights?

You want to place your piece of art in a place that is going to display it the best. Some pieces of art need more light than others. Try not to put several different pieces in the same space. Many times on certain walls less is more.

How do you decide how high to hang a painting?

Height is really personal preference. As for myself and many galleries the preferred height is 60 inches to the center of the piece. It is a very pleasing height for your eye.

I want to hang something over my stone fireplace. Where should I start?

First you want to see what would fit in the space that you want. Many fire places have stones that protrude out and make it difficult for art piece to hang right.

I have something really, really heavy to hang on my walls. Where should I start and what should I look for?

Start by looking at the piece and see what was provided on the back to install with. There have been times that I have had to change what was provided to make sure it is secure on the wall. Always make sure that the piece is installed into a stud in the wall. There are many wall anchors and molly bolts that can hold significant weight, but still nothing is as strong as installing something into a wall stud.

How far apart do you recommend I hang artworks in a series?

It depends on the size of the pieces and the space you would like to place them in. You don’t want them to look to crowded or spaced to far apart. I like to take a few moments and place them on the floor and play with different spacing to see what looks best.

What is the most common thing that people comment on when while you are install some art?

It would be about my red velvet installation slippers. They are vans slip on to be exact. They are kind of fun! I make sure I always remove my shoes when I enter a home. My feet would kill me walk up and down my ladder so I need to find something to wear. I remembered I had purchased a pair of red velvet vans for a costume party a year earlier and didn’t use them much. They were perfect! Not sure if I will be able to match them if they ever wear out.

Do you have any hilarious stories about a time when you were installing?

I did an installation of several pieces for couple that just purchased a new home. A week later they called me up and asked if I could come over for another install. They had several more pieces that they had just purchased and wanted to get them up right away. As I was installing the new pieces I noticed that almost all of the pieces I installed a week before were not level. It seemed odd since I made sure that they were all level. I went ahead and leveled everything again. When I was about finished in the down stairs the husband came home and we began talking as I finished up. I happened to look over my shoulder and noticed he was readjusting everything I had just installed and made level. I realized that he was the reason for all the other pieces I had installed previously for being out of level. I just smiled to myself and finished with the install. I never said anything to the couple about it. They are great clients and it makes me smile every time I’m called to come back and install more pieces.

I need to get a hold of you; how do I do that?

The best way to reach me is by phone 435.655.1322.  I may also be reached by e-mail. dave@aislingartinstall.com. My website is aislingartinstall.com.

Here is a taste of Fred Calleri’s newest exhibition. See more from the show here…

Gallery MAR is pleased to announce the newest offering from the Carol Alleman Studios, “GARDEN OF PROMISES.”

Garden of Promises, Carol’s first consort of bronze work, is comprised of five, individual crocus vessels (including Promises and Golden Promises, the seeds and inspiration for Garden of Promises). Each season brings its own unique and necessary gifts to our lives, and so it is with the Garden of Promises. The promise of each season being one of potency and perfection.

Each vessel stands 6.25″ high by 4.5″ wide, offering an intricate and unique patina. The vessels may be purchased as a complete set or on an individual basis. There is a notable savings with each subsequent vessel purchase within the Garden of Promises, the greatest being realized when purchasing the complete Garden all at once.

Prices are available by calling the gallery. 435.649.3001

As with all of Carol’s magnificent bronzes, these have their companion poetry, inspiration and research facts which are available upon request. The entire body of work by Carol can be viewed on our website.

These would be a stunning addition to any collection and a unique presentation.

The visual arts and informal writing have been life companions for Carol Alleman. Upon locating to Tucson, Arizona in 1994, she discovered clay while exploring the mysterious desert landscape. Immediately she began digging her own clay and experimenting with slab, coil, and a variety of hand building techniques. Since then she has continued to explore the infinite dimensions of clay, water-based and oil, considering herself largely “self-taught.”

In late 2001, Carol expanded her work into the bronze market choosing her vessel forms as her entry work. Today she continues to develop the bronze cast “Tree of Life” and “Nature Series” of mystical, organic vessels. Both series reflect a visual and narrative imagery of her personal intimacy with the powerful energy, spirit, and symbolism of trees and nature. Companion writings accompany her work.

Park City Kimball Arts Festival 2010 dates will be August 7 – 8, 2010.

To apply to our 2010 show please go to zapplication.org and register.

The application deadline is March 1, 2010.

Check out the newest feature of the Arts Festival, 2010’s RELEVANT: BE CREATIVE, BE MENTORED, BE INSPIRED, BE IN PARK CITY.

RELEVANT 2010 is a five-day artist-in-residency program for a select group of undergraduate and graduate level college students working in the media of sculpture, painting and mixed media. Set in the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah, students have the opportunity to be mentored by leading artists in their field, connect with industry experts and meet nationally acclaimed gallery owners. The residency culminates with the Opening Night Auction and Gala of the 41st Annual Park City Kimball Arts Festival, where student’s work will be on display and sold to an audience including top art collectors.

RELEVANT 2010 is looking for emerging cutting edge artists dedicated to developing their artistic career. Students are given the experience of developing art for sale, while being challenged to expand their artistic boundaries. During the residency each student’s primary goal is to create a piece of artwork that will be sold at the Opening Night Art Auction and Gala and be on display during the Arts Festival. Students are given a theme, timeline, budget and private studio space. Daily work sessions will include critiques by mentors and peers. The residency requires dedication, long hours, deadlines and flexibility.

RELEVANT 2010 is a platform for discovery. The residency will place students in the spotlight, through interaction with the public, interviews with film crews and participation in the Opening Night Auction and Gala. The Park City Kimball Arts Festival is rated as one of the top ten festivals in the country. The three-day festival attracts 45,000 attendees and national press, providing students with great exposure and the opportunity to foster relationships with future collectors.

RELEVANT 2010 will fund accepted students. expenses including airfare, lodging, meals and a stipend for art supplies. Students will keep 50% of their art sale.

In conjunction with a completed application, the following must also be submitted…

* 5 images of your work created within the last two years

* 2-minute video answering the question “Why are you RELEVANT?”

* $25.00 non-refundable application fee

* Applications due April 18th, 2010

Amy Ringolz and Lisa Lamoreaux the night of their opening reception. Congratulations to both artists on a beautiful show, hanging through February.

“Why Walk Alone,” Oil, 2010 by Amy Ringholz

Lisa Lamoreaux with collectors in the Park City gallery.

Ron Galella, Paparazzi photographer, is here in Park City for the premier of his movie “Smash His Camera” at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

He and his wife stopped by the gallery today to view the exhibition of his photography works and dropped off a few extra photos. Be sure to stop by the gallery if you’re here for the festival to see his works and the books on this notorious photographer.

The Sundance Film Festival is about to get underway (tomorrow is the opening day) and we already are feeling the excitement! Rental trucks are moving out shops as Sundance moves in. Gallery MAR is featuring the works of Ron Galella, whose life work is documented in the new film “Smash His Camera,” premiering at Sundance.

Another Art Film is causing a stir on our streets. Apparently four new alleged Banksy (arguably the most well-known graffiti artist in the world) stencils/grafitti pieces have popped up in our  mountain town. Adding to the intrigue are the rumors that the “Spotlight Surprise” documentary film will actually be about the British artist and entitled “Exit Through The Gift Shop,” the title of a piece from his recent Bristol Museum exhibition.

Will this film be another hoax or joke on the audience? The possibilities are endless for the reveal at this film. The Festival Director, John Cooper, describes the documentary by saying, “Surprise is a good thing. Take a chance on this one. I confess, it’s one of my favorites this year.”

Enjoy the “art” around town. I’m sure the city’s code enforcers are going to have a field day with this new work!

The Photographs of Ron Galella

Celebrating the New Film “Smash His Camera”

at Gallery MAR, 580 Main Street, Park City

January 21-26, 2010

Sundance Film Festival 2010

Much has been written of Ron Galella. Widely regarded as the most famous and most controversial celebrity photographer in the world—he’s been dubbed “Paparazzo Extraordinaire” by Newsweek and “the Godfather of the U.S. paparazzi culture” by Time and Vanity Fair—Galella is clearly willing to take great risks to get the perfect shot. As a result, he has endured two highly publicized court battles with Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, a broken jaw at the hands of Marlon Brando, and a serious beating by Richard Burton’s bodyguards before being jailed in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

But ultimately, it is his passion for the fine art of photography, coupled with a dedicated do-it-yourself approach to his craft—few artists can claim his level of skill in making their own prints—that sees Ron’s body of work exhibited at museums and galleries throughout the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in both New York and San Francisco, the Tate Modern in London, and the Helmut Newton Foundation Museum of Photography in Berlin.

Ron’s passion for photojournalism has also given rise to many highly acclaimed books including Disco Years (PowerHouse, 2009), which was honored as Best Photography Book of 2006 by The New York Times, and Smash His Camera, a documentary of his life and career by Oscar-winning director, Leon Gast (When We Were Kings, 1996), that will premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and compete for Best U.S. Documentary.

Now through January 15th, at Gallery MAR 580 Main Street, Park City.

Perfect timing for last-minute holiday gifting. Local Utah artists present new miniature works for this holiday season, in all styles and media, for all art lovers and their unique tastes.

Laguna News-Post

ART WAVES

Artist and His Art Form Intimate Relationship with Nature , by ROBERTA CARASSO , 11/26/09

Artist Michael Kessler is passionate about exploring and creating art based on the dynamics of nature. His acrylic panels, in his solo exhibition at the Art Cube Gallery, are responses to questions he continually ponders: How do various natural processes affect the physical world? And why do natural substances get to be shaped the way they do?

Thus, Kessler’s techniques and original methods emerge from his close observation of nature and deciphering how it creates. In this way, the artist and his art form an intimate relationship with the natural world.

While scrutinizing natural specimens, the artist continues to question phenomena such as erosion, how the wind or water slowly sculpts rocks, manipulates soil, changes waterways, is constantly in a state of building, destroying, rebuilding, and altering the world at every moment. Kessler’s artistic processes, therefore, have become like natural processes.

The artist is not concerned with recreating how the world looks, capturing a static landscape. Rather, he uses numerous methods he meticulously devises, to bring about holistic, abstract imagery that is born from Kessler’s reconfiguring the never-ending forces that continually affect our planet.

Kessler is truly a seasoned painter and Laguna Beach is honored to have his art displayed here. He exhibits internationally, is a Rome Prize recipient as well as having received the Pollock/ Krasner Award, and praise for his work in the Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Study Program.

Making art consistently for 35 years, Kessler has much experience working with nature-based abstractions. Using many layers of paint, sanding, building up textures then removing layers, and adding more, Kessler gets closer to ways nature creates.

The final work of art shifts between representation and abstraction. When looking at his sophisticated panels, we don’t see nature, per se, but somehow each panel reminds us of some aspect of nature’s familiar wonderland.

Kessler is inspired by the endless examples nature provides. He might pick up a rock, turn it over and relish the colors of calcium rust or iron or the accumulation of oxidation. He ponders too how water seeps on to a stone and gives it its present color and shape. Nature constantly feeds his curiosity and artistic appetite.

Kessler is never at a lost for subject or for a new painting possibility. Yet Kessler’s style of painting is spontaneous, without plans or preconceptions. Arriving at his studio, he studies each panel and allows it to awaken an idea. The materials call to him and as an artist he responses, beginning the process in concert with the materials. One thing leads to another and the art evolves.

At the outset of the process, Kessler chooses certain parameters, such as colors that do affect the work. He avoided green colors for many years, but two years ago, Kessler decided to take up the challenge of greens when he observed how movie sets frequently use green walls for interiors. Greens enhance human skin color and create a harmonious setting. Gallery visitors, seeing Kessler’s work are inspired, even uplifted by his engaging imagery. It evokes a positive response as each painting enriches people’s vision of the world.