Photographer Paul Blackmore puts a local spin on The Leo's newest exhibit!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

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The Leonardo's newest exhibit, Water: Nature's Driving Force, opened on July 5th, 2012. On hand was Australian photographer Paul Blackmore, whose work is featured prominently in the exhibit.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is a series of photos from Paul Blackmore's most recent book, At Water's Edge. The book, published in June of this year, showcases a series of images taken in 14 different countries over a span of 11 years. Paul's photos cover the relationship humanity has with water. Not only the physical requirement, but the recreational and spiritual connection as well.


What began as a project with a fairly narrow focus grew into something more.  "I started out telling a more journalistic story, but eventually discovered there was a bigger story to tell," Paul explained. The scope of the series is vast, taking the viewer from right here in Utah to Kazakstan, India, Bangladesh, Haiti, and elsewhere.

Many of the photos draw attention to the global water crisis. "People are becoming much much more aware of it," Paul said, adding that in Australia, the world's driest continent, "ten years of drought has whipped us into shape."


In preparation for the exhibit, Paul came to Utah to take some shots of the local relationship with water. Lake Powell crowded with houseboats and swimmers in the Great Salt Lake tell of recreation. City Creek, where some early leaders of the LDS Church were baptized, and the Mystic Hot Springs, sacred to native tribes, speak to Utah's deep-rooted spiritual connection with water.



"I've enjoyed my time in Utah," Paul said at the opening reception, which coincidentally fell on the wettest day the Salt Lake Valley had seen in weeks. "And I'd like to thank The Leonardo's marketing department for the rain!" If only we could take credit.


The exhibit, featuring Paul's photos and several other original installations, will be open until January of next year.

Links:

Paul Blackmore's Website

Posted by The Leonardo at 7/17/2012 10:15:00 AM 0 comments