ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
JULY 2022
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THE LOWDOWN
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Your park, your permit: Washington County puts out call for park photos BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER
Washington County is asking photographers and nature lovers alike to take their shot at capturing the beauty of Square Lake Park in a tiny 2.75 by 3.5 inch vehicle permit. Photographers may submit their Square Lake Park photos for a chance to have their photo featured as the 2023-24 permit, which is valid in both Washington and Anoka counties. Anyone can submit up to three photos. A first name, last name, phone number, email and a short description of the photo is also required. Images must be high-quality resolution (300dpi min) and must be .jpg image files. The winner will be selected in early November. But what makes a winning photo? Parks Coordinator Sara Armstrong has some suggestions. “When choosing a photo, we look for a photo that really speaks to the characteristics of the park being highlighted,” said Armstrong. “Spring Lake Park is really known for the lake and the clarity of the lake.” The photo must be easy enough to spot from a car’s window, so a brightly colored image helps park staff spot passes from a distance.
Through a process of elimination, the passes will be chosen by a number of park staff. “Past photos have stood out for so many reasons. In 2019 we highlighted Cottage Grove Ravine and in 2021, we did a goat sticker because we were using goats to manage the invasive species in the park,” explained Armstrong. Photos from all seasons are encouraged, but the parks generally receive a vast majority of nonwinter photos. Having a winter photo could remind visitors to come to the park even during the winter months, according to Armstrong. “We really want to encourage Washington County residents to visit parks they might not usually go to. And the photo contest is an opportunity for people to visit the parks,” said Armstrong. “The photo attracts people.” The winner of the contest will receive a free vehicle permit and credit for their photo. Participants have from now until Oct. 3 to submit their photos. Don’t worry if your photo doesn’t win. Photos that are not selected for the vehicle pass may still be used for other promotional materials for Washington County Parks. All photos can be submitted to ParksPhotos@ co.washington.mn.us.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Monarchs were the subject of the St. Croix Bluffs photo.
Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@ presspubs.com.
New Franconia exhibit uncovers lost treasures
BRYAN ZANISNIK
BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER
A new exhibition at the Mardag Gallery at Franconia Commons called “Centimeter” gives the term “hole-inthe-Wall” a whole new meaning. From July 9 to Sept. 11, New York artist Bryan Zanisnik’s architecturally inspired work will be on display in two components of photography and installation art. Part of the exhibition has already been built at the artist’s studio in New York and will be shipped out to Minnesota for Zanisnik to complete on his first visit to Minnesota. “I’ve known Bryan for over 10 years and I did a project with him a few years ago,” said Franconia’s curator Ginger Porcella. “His work is really smart but super accessible and fun.
“Bergman” is another photo in Bryan Zanisnik’s “Centimeter.”
There’s a lot of joy in it.” The New York artist has always been fascinated with the idea of decay and architecture but it was when Zanisnik purchased a home in upstate New York that his art started to take on new meaning. “I was actually finding things in the walls,” said Zanisnik. “Probably the funniest thing I found were beer cans in the walls that were over 30 years old.” Zanisnik uncovered old tools in the walls of the home, and on the wooded portion of the property, he found stone carvings of horses. “It’s a weird, magical thing to find. It all informs my work,” said Zanisnik. According to Zanisnik, seeing “Centimeter” might feel like uncovering lost treasures in the walls of an old home. The artist works with
mundane materials that take on a new life. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will observe portions of drywall with holes punched in, only to reveal something within the walls of the art. Instead of a sterile, white gallery space, “Centimeter” will look collapsed, almost destroyed to invoke a feeling of renovation and exploring the history of a space. For Zanisnik, looking behind the walls feels like an exploration of the subconscious. “It would be great if people can walk away feeling a bit mesmerized with an object or material,” explains Zanisnik. The name “Centimeter” comes from different semantics of the word. While many Americans know a centimeter is a unit of measurement, it doesn’t belong in the Imperial system of measurement, so many of us find the term centimeter
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to lack meaning. “I like this idea of architecture and building and a centimeter is something that measures space and time and also relates to finding something and the passing of time and decaying,” said Zanisnik. Zanisnik will host a public dinner and discussion lecture on July 5 at the Franconia Commons for those interested in hearing more about work and to answer questions about his art. The discussion can also be accessible via Facebook Live for those who cannot attend. The discussion will also be archived so people can watch it at a later date. Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
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“Live Forever” will be on display this July.
