MARK HEDENGREN : THE INVINCIBILITY FABLE
UTAH MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
MAY 4 - AUGUST 18, 2012
Hedengren’s The Invincibility Fable is a survey of over 30 color photographs taken from his series “Cliff Jumpers”, a project that spanned nearly two years while Hedengren traveled across the nation. His images depict the exuberant youth culture found at swimming holes across the American South and Mountain West, oblivious to the dangers posed by rocks and water.
“Swimming holes have a way to transcend age, class and creed; all are joined by the cool of the water,” said Hedengren. “I am interested in photographing these strong informal communities.”
The Invincibility Fable is Hedengren’s first solo exhibition in Utah. He has been in shows juried by the National Portrait Gallery and The Whitney Museum of American Art. Mark is also active in filmmaking with movies showing at Slamdance, on BBC Films and at Sundance, where he directed the feature Skippy. He has a BFA from BYU, a MFA from the Glasgow School of Art and works with Getty Images.
“Hedengren’s work touches the core of risk and joyful abandon within youth culture,” said Aaron Moulton, Senior Curator, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. “His images of casual and unself-conscious teens portray a fleeting moment cast in summer afternoon light that become a surreal look at Salad Days.”
Photo credit : Morganne Wakefield
