Being On Board on The Board (AIGA)

Do you know the feeling when you realize you've made the right decision? I felt that recently in regards to my placement and association with AIGA Salt Lake City. I was fortunate to be asked to remain as the programming director a number of weeks ago and couldn't be happier about the new blood circulating in the board. I toted the camera for obvious reasons.

AIGA is a national organization that stimulates thinking about design and demonstrates its value as a profession and craft. AIGA is also a community where black-rimmed, turtle-necked designers can talk about kerning, ad campaigns, or the shape of the letter "d" without worrying about the quirkiness of the topic.

The folks below are some of the new board members. You'd be astounded at the quantified talent and prowess represented here. I count myself lucky by association. The truth is, they are as down to earth as you can get (without the knee-dirty jeans) and are becoming dear and trusted friends. If you're interested in getting to know the design community in SLC, this is a great place to start! We'd like to have every one of you feeling welcome to any/all of our events. AND we have a new website, so click until your inner-designer is content.

Amy :: 2 JUN 2009

Jumping from Central Park to the Lower East Side yielded a terrific discovery in this new friend. She had picked the Williamsburg Bridge because of the urban feel, the crossing and stretching of metal, and the zoom-zoom of the "we own the bridge" cyclists, and the fact that she uses it almost every day. The juxtaposition of her body with repetitive beams had a terrific effect (as did her Converse, on those yoga feet) in the composing. Try positioning yourself in the middle of screaming traffic, rushing trains, and speeding cyclists... see how long you can hold crow. 

Ali :: 1 JUN 2009

She wanted something urban but close to the water; green but with plenty of people. She chose one of the extensions of the Hudson River Park and it matched her perfectly. As a modern dancer and a yogi, she spends nearly every hour of her day "in her skin" so-to-speak. And that was easily to pick up as enjoying that magnificent park. She moved fluidly between yoga and dance, then dance and yoga. I think my one of my favorite shots was her balancing on the park bench with an older gentleman directly on her left side. He sat there, gazing at the river, as she deftly ambled into position. Easy. Effortless. Like poetry in motion.

Benj :: 30 MAY 2009

I met up with him in Brooklyn, on a roof-top peppered with charcoal burning stoves, bottle caps, and rocks that looked like they had been placed "just so." I'd seen a few images of his performances and things clicked more tightly together when we began our session. His movement and motion was deliberate, poised, and slow - like he was looking at it as he was making it. All throughout, his interaction with objects was fresh and curious and my mind kept jumping to "I wonder what's next" as he explored the roof-top. Scaffolding, rocks, metal caps, shirts, and powder. I'm intrigued to see what he creates next because it seems like innovation and object-relativity come as easily as breathing for him. Ben. The Dancer. 

Mila :: 31 MAY 09

She had this place in mind. And like an electric shock of a tic-tock, she made it all happen. When she called me to tell me about the shoot  (because she knows how I work), she said, "It's going to blow your mind." I think this place would blow anybody's mind. Located in a secret spot in "somewhere" New York, I met her at the shoot sporting her mat and her long board. Currently, she instructs at Om Yoga Center in Manhattan. I took her class and found the fuzzy-warm zen of a great instructor. And there are other layers, too, worth getting to know: acting, climbing, laughing, and Columbian folk-lore. On top of all that, she remains a true and brilliant friend whom I lean on and soak up on every encounter.

PS :: I think my favorite moment (shown below) was during a "cat" and "cow" series when little stray Tom-Cat snuggled up to her legs... just like it was planned.

Holly :: 9 June 2009

She is undoubtedly one of my favorite people in the universe... because that's how "big" or "far" I feel when we spend time together. In middle school, we were locker-neighbors during those awkward and finding few years. Time flew, she moved to New York, we lost touch (for who knows why), and then a happenstance meeting with her father at the bank reconnected us. I asked, "How is Holly these days?" He said, "You should ask her," and handed me a bank statement with her email scribbled on it. Long story short, she's here. And there. And everywhere. But today she was with me, crossing through summer-cemeteries and maple tree shadows.

Natural beauty, folks. That's what this is.

Croquet / Norwegian Independence Celebration

Two things you never turn down: good friends or good food... or good croquet..? Hosted by the dazzling Elizabeth and charming Philip, their annual Norwegian Independence Dinner was a hit. The pair make a dynamic duo: they realize the importance of people and food, properly combined. In sandaled and seersuckering sass, the lot of us dined on dishes as difficult to pronounce as they were to express. The croquet following opened a flood-gate of ruthless roquets, which only spawned hopes of future meetings.

All in all, a perfect Sunday dine.