Spotlight: Stargazer
by HOLLY VASIC
If you walked out of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center in downtown Salt Lake City you can see, in the medium, “Stargazer,” a mixed medium sculpture flying in the air with a steam punk feel, by artist Dennis Smith.
The airplane meets bicycle looking piece was done as part of Salt Lake City’s Art Council Flying Objects 5.0, a series of public art that features a selection of artists using multiple materials focusing on flying objects, insects, or other gadgets that may be seen in the air. The original Flying Objects series began when Salt Lake City was under construction for the new City Creek Center, “The project was designed to stage a series of sculptures, installed in three locations, that added color, shape, interest, whimsy, and vitality to the streetscape” says the website. Though the original sculptures were only temporary Flying Objects 5.0 are permanent installments.
Smith is a Utah native who attended Brigham Young University after going on an LDS mission to Denmark, according to Main Street Art. After his time at BYU Smith couldn’t wait to return to Denmark and in 1967 attended graduate school at Danish Royal Academy in Copenhagen. Smith's website boasts Smith’s bronze sculptures can be seen in other countries, all over the United States, and multiple locations in Salt Lake. His work can be focused around his religious beliefs but the theme most predominant is children. Smith’s bio states, “At the core of Dennis’ work is the spirit of the human soul.” This can be seen in “Stargazer” with its childlike bicycle and paper plain style wings.
Salt Lake City resident, Jo Vasic, said “I just think it defines Utah myself. A quirky mixture of a society that is often out of sync with everyone. Including itself.”
Smith’s more well-known work can also be experienced at the Gallivan Center, with his cast bronze piece “Peace Cradle” (1994), and Liberty Park, which is another cast bronze sculpture called “The Doll and Dare” (1978). “The Doll and Dare” also features one of Smith’s poems with the same name.
Check out Smith’s work around downtown.