Amusement in the Land of Helquist

[tealin]

Last night my family went to see A Christmas Carol in Orem, somewhat of a tradition dating from the years when either one of us or someone we knew would be in it, though this has become less frequent in recent years. It was quite different but still good, albeit the Relic of Childhood factor might have influenced my opinion of it slightly. Apparently the Glendale theatre still uses the old script and the old voiceover narration done by a guy who had a wonderful deep gravelly voice from living through a gas attack in WWI. I'll have to check that out next year, assuming I'm down there, which is looking more and more likely by the day.

There was some art up in the lobby that was quite nice ... I don't know who did it but a member of the family who runs the theatre is a professional illustrator. Not far from the theatre is the library with magnificent stained-glass windows by local artists, and I hardly need mention this is the city of Brett Helquist's youth. What is up with the artists in Utah? They have a fairly distinct style, probably influenced a lot by the illustration program at BYU, but they're really good. Really solid drawings, appealing style, good handling of colour for clarity and depth and emotion ... I have my theories but it is definitely a phenomenon, whatever the causes are.

Speaking of Helquist, and segueing to his most famous project, between the highway and the theatre we passed Timpanogos Regional Hospital – it was half-finished, one wing being fully operational and the other iron girders, work lights, and plastic sheeting. It was MOST AMUSING. Unfortunately, it was nighttime, so I couldn't demand we pull over to take a picture. It's pretty hilarious, though; if any Snicket fans are in the audience I highly recommend a visit.

Comments

[mellifluous-ink.livejournal.com]

Now I want to go to Utah. We don't have pretty public art unless one is in a Disney-controlled area (not as bad as it sounds). And all the palm trees...egh...I could definitely be happy with never seeing another palm tree in my life.

Then again, we have got the Winchester Mansion and and some F.L. Wright houses...so it can't be all bad. I'm not sure where my point was in that rant. X3

[tropicalwater07.livejournal.com]

Oh snap, it's kind of sad that I know what exactly what building you're talking about. D: It's where the new Hale Center theatre's supposed to be. But...yeah. Good times.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

I thought they said the new Hale was going in the place where those apartments are going upm whih was sort of between the theatre and the shopping centre to the south of there. This hospital was a little bit north and maybe a couple miles west of the current location.

[thefordmustang.livejournal.com]

Interesting comment that, about BYU art.

I had thought the same thing when I visited the LDS visitor's center in Salt Lake City many years ago. Have you visited the art museum as well? I remember seeing from interesting Impressionist paintings done by LDS members from Utah who had studied art in Paris.