‘A Quiet So Absolute’ pictures artwork exhibit now open

REXBURG—The Spori Art Gallery’s latest exhibit is known as “A Quiet So Absolute” and it’s now open.

Darren Clark, a BYU-Idaho artwork school member, is the photographer behind the exhibit.

Clark enjoys taking images, particularly taking photos of atypical and acquainted locations.

Clark says his exhibition was impressed by a press release made by photographer and author Robert Adams in “Why people photograph.” The assertion says, “On the prairie there is sometimes a quiet so absolute that it allows one to begin again to love the future.”

“But I’ve always liked that statement, ‘On the prairie there is sometimes a quiet so absolute.’ So, I’m using that word prairie. I’m kind of expanding that out to include sagebrush, snowscapes, seascapes, agriculture,” Clark said.

While snapping a photo may be quick, Clark puts thought and effort into what he photographs. He researches locations, lighting, weather to really plan out his photographs. He says it takes a lot of patience.

Many of the photos in this gallery exhibit, Clark points out, have a horizon that disappears or goes on forever. This is something he was looking for as he took these photos.

“[The gallery photos represent] that idea of the hopeful future,” Clark said. “Yeah, and the future is open and it’s not always easy, and you know, it has to do with this life and eternities.”

In putting together the exhibit, even the placement of the photographs is intentional. For example, Clark paired two larger photographs which show Craters of the Moon and the Atlantic Ocean because he felt the mood of both places felt similar.

“And they both, to me, had this sort of both beautiful and ominous feeling at the same time and that’s why they’re paired up,” Clark said.

One unique part of the exhibit is a display on the floor where photos will be projected onto a platform. These photos are all taken from the top down of different locations hundreds of feet in the air with a drone.

Clark hopes people can have a quiet and contemplative experience looking through the gallery.

“But I do hope that they’re willing to look. And I do think if they spend the time to look, that they can have a pretty quiet kind of contemplative experience,” Clark said.

“A Quiet So Absolute” exhibit is open May 1 through June 11. The community can view Clark’s photography at www.darrenclarkphoto.com.

The Spori Art Gallery is open Monday by way of Friday from 9 a.m. to eight p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to eight p.m.