NEWS: Utah Public Artwork One of Top 50 in Nation

SALT LAKE CITY — The Americans for the Arts Public Art Network’s Year in Review has selected the art installation by Susan Narduli at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake as one of the top 50 public artworks in the United States for 2011.

Narduli’s work, titled “Land and Time,” is a multimedia, site-wide installation that begins outside with etched concrete sidewalks and continues just inside the museum’s main entrance with faceted walls displaying real-time data projections. This project makes use of mapping – both literally and conceptually – to contemplate how we perceive, depend on and understand our environment. It draws first upon what we can readily see in our immediate surroundings, and then makes visible the profound forces that underlie and shape that physical world.

Images of the artwork can be found online at this link:

https://utahdcc.secure.force.com/public/PtlArtifact?id=a0n70000001dd5eAAA&searchPage=PtlArtSearch?phrase=%22Land+and+Time%22&e=false&col=false&c=true&a=true&r=true&s=true

Americans for the Arts Public Art Network’s Year in Review recognizes public art projects that represent the most compelling work from across the country, and is the only national program that specifically recognizes and awards public art projects for outstanding excellence.

“This piece is a classic illustration of the beautiful and engaging work that is integral to so many state facilities throughout Utah,” said Director of Utah Arts & Museums Margaret Hunt. “We’re delighted to have national recognition of this innovative artwork.”

Utah’s Public Art Program worked with an art selection committee representing the museum, the University of Utah, the Division of Facilities Construction and Management, the architects, Utah Arts Council Board members and visual artists in reviewing 205 applications from all across the country and selecting Narduli for the commission.

Utah’s Public Art Program was created by the Utah State Legislature in 1985 with the passage of the Percent-for-Art Act. This statute allows for 1% of construction costs for new or remodeled state facilities to be added to the project for the commissioning or acquisition of art that is site-specific to the facility and community. To date, more than 200 works have been placed in state facilities statewide. For more information, visit utahpublicart.org or contact Jim Glenn at jglenn@utah.gov or 801.533.3585.

About Utah Arts & Museums

Utah Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.