Bonneville Brewery samples their Promontory Steamer with artist Mel Zeigler’s Hold Your Breath display. I nearly passed out trying to drink and retain a lung full of air following the artist’s bold instructions. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Rio Connelly, Head Brewer of Avenues Proper, starts us off with a taste of a house signature brew the Skittlebrau Plum. Its complex and well-balanced flavors paired nicely with the artwork provided by Lizze Määttälä. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Of all the artwork being displayed on Friday night Määttälä’s was one which I had to take them most time to fully let sink in. Its subtlety is what really caught my eye until closer examination revealed its anti-consumerist message. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Bohemian Brewery, a.k.a. my favorite drinking buddies at any beer festival, showcased their Vienna Lager alongside Firelei Báez’s extremely detailed artwork. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The art of Firelei Báez was a personal favorite of the night. Before my inebriation set in, I was able to soberly gaze upon the miniscule details that lay within each and every piece. Photo: Talyn Sherer
While one man’s nasal cavity basks in the richness of the Epic Brewery’s Imperial IPA, another man self reflects on the artwork I have unofficially retitled as “Hopman” by Firelei Báez. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Two lost souls engulf themselves in the intricate maze of beauty created by artist Firelei Báez. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The best pairing of the night goes to Epic Brewery and artist Firelei Báez as the Imperial IPA mirrors perfectly the figure who looks like a giant hop. Photo: Talyn Sherer
I am falling more in love with Epic Brewery’s Imperial IPA as my buzz starts to set in. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The fallen leaf art on the lower level is a harsh reminder that I need to clean my driveway back home. Photo: Talyn Sherer
A small treat awaits the museum explorers who found their way around back to see non paired artwork near the restrooms. Photo: Talyn Sherer
This note on the floor taunts me the more I drink. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Bonneville Brewery samples their Promontory Steamer with artist Mel Zeigler’s Hold Your Breath display. I nearly passed out trying to drink and retain a lung full of air following the artist’s bold instructions. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Artist Mel Ziegler showcases his “Hold Your Breath” display, which reminds me of a very disappointing birthday party with a clown who can’t make a simple balloon animal. Photo: Talyn Sherer
One of my favorite Utah breweries, Moab Brewery, brought out their Dead Horse Amber to pair with some black and white art provided by Mel Ziegler. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The most surprising beer of the night came from Roosters Brewing Co. Their Honey Wheat gave off a sweet and sour taste that paired with the wheat bags by artist Mel Ziegler. Photo: Talyn Sherer
The cryptic message written on the wall awaits deciphering as a couple gazes in wonder. Photo: Talyn Sherer
I’m not sure who deserves credit for this piece of art, the artist or his dog. Mel Ziegler puts on a display of sticks he has used through a lifetime of playing fetch with his dog. Photo: Talyn Sherer
A pseudo-topographical display of America as portrayed through the creative mind of Mel Ziegler. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Two art connoisseurs pay their respects to the fallen tree display provided by Shawn Porter paired with the Bobcat Nut Brown by Red Rock Brewing. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Distracted by all the free swag Red Rock was giving away I accidentally left my beer at their table only to return moments later to collect this delicious treasure. Photo: Talyn Sherer
If dogs were pirates, I am sure this is what their treasure chests would contain. Artist Mel Ziegler displays the boxes upon boxes of sticks he used to play fetch with his dog. Photo: Talyn Sherer
A near poltergeist-like moment happened as one man was nearly sucked into this beautiful piece of photographic art. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Most unique beer of the night goes to Uinta Brewing, who brought out the big guns with the Tinder Rauchbier, pairing it alongside Mel Ziegler’s “To Carry a Big Stick” artwork. Photo: Talyn Sherer
At this stage in the event I feel like a Crooked Line beer pairs perfectly with one’s inability to retain balance while walking in a straight line. Photo: Talyn Sherer
Dramatic lighting on the lower level of UMOCA sets the mood for a classy event such as this. Photo: Talyn Sherer
A woman looks into “Grandma’s Cupboard” by artists Mel Ziegler and Kate Ericson. Photo: Talyn Sherer
A piece titled “Where the Water Goes” by artists Mel Ziegler and Kate Ericson reminds me to drink a few glasses of H2O to avoid the possible hangover the next day. Photo: Talyn Sherer
What better way to spend a Friday night than to bask in two of my favorite things: craft beer and contemporary art? Fluid Art is one of the most unique events this city has to offer, as breweries from around the state are tasked with the incredibly difficult challenge of pairing their own liquid art with that of UMOCA’s current artist exhibitions. Sponsored by Utah’s Brewers Guild, Fluid Art happens year after year with an increasing demand for more and more breweries to join. As a participant/guest at such an event, you are tasked with the expansion of both mind and body as you take in the delicate flavors of a particular brew while finding the subtle relations between this liquid gold and the piece of art that lay before your eyes. If confusion about any particular pairing starts to set in, you can ask one of the brewers about the decision to pair their beer with a particular artwork. As for myself, I was more inclined to use the “brewtinerary” that was provided at the entrance to help guide me through each display. Fluid Art was an emotional night filled with confusion, laughter, misdirection and self-reflection as I passed from brewery to brewery igniting all my senses. The artwork itself is not to be taken in at first glance, which is why I am proud I had something to sip on while I stared at each piece for elongated moments at a time.
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