These twin bronze sculptures (fraternal, not identical) on the corner of 200 S and 200 East SLC at the old Mountain Bell building were created by noted Salt Lake City artist Angelo Caravaglia.
 |
| Bronze sculptures by Angelo Caravaglia, Mountain Bell building, 205 E 200 South Salt Lake City, 2022. |
.jpg) |
| Mountain Bell (Ma Bell) Building 205 E 200 South SLC, 2022 |
 | |
|
Caravaglia was born in 1925 to Italian immigrant parents in Erie, PA where at 9 years old he began carving soap with his pocketknife. He served in the US Army during WWII and when honorably discharged soon returned to his studies and to art.
When he was 31 years old, in 1956, the UofU recruited him to break up the stuffy Art Department where Caravaglia and fellow artist V. Douglas Snow brought some mid-century modernism to the U’s conservative sculpture department.
For years Caravaglia exhibited locally and throughout the art world, but it wasn’t until 1966 that regular Salt Lakers took notice of his art, and they didn’t much like what they saw. He was commissioned by the GSA of the federal government to create an art piece for the new Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building (125 S State).
When he was 31 years old, in 1956, the UofU recruited him to break up the stuffy Art Department where Caravaglia and fellow artist V. Douglas Snow brought some mid-century modernism to the U’s conservative sculpture department.
For years Caravaglia exhibited locally and throughout the art world, but it wasn’t until 1966 that regular Salt Lakers took notice of his art, and they didn’t much like what they saw. He was commissioned by the GSA of the federal government to create an art piece for the new Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building (125 S State).
 |
| Angelo Caravaglia, from Deseret News June 14 1966. |
 |
| Angelo Caravaglia's sculpture in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building (125 S State) |
Although some Salt Lakers enjoyed Caravaglia sculpture at the Federal Building, most complained with one saying it looked like “a forest of monkey wrenches.” More on this piece later.
This poor reaction to Caravaglia’s work for the federal building in 1966 may be why there was little fanfare for the unveiling of Caravaglia’s sculptures at the Mountain Bell building in 1971. Only a single newspaper article noted it, and that was written by fellow University of Utah Art Professor, George S. Dibble.
Dibble described the bronzes as warm and intimate, a convincing theme of communication. Dibble continued: Figurative elements evolving from a strong central organism move out succinctly in vertical thrusts and in graceful lateral outsweeps. Modulated light falls gently on precise edges, dividing cleanly chiseled surfaces that return crisply to the wall. Central units are engaged in contrasts of palpable depth and flowing elements of conformation and change set up notions of continuing energy.
The sculpture was prepared in Styrofoam (a new material at the time) and plaster; it was cast in the bronze foundries at Pietrasanta, Italy.
 |
| Bronze sculpture on the east side of the Mountain States building. |
 |
| Bronze sculpture on the south side of the Mountain States building |
Caravaglia has several pieces in public and private collections along the Wasatch Front. You have likely seen his work and just not known who created it. More info at www.angelocaravaglia.com
 |
| Angelo Caravaglia's official portrait, from the artist's website. |
At present, the new owner of the old Mountain Bell building is considering their options regarding the sculpture. Current plans are to reuse the building into a new housing project.
Sources
- In Memoriam Angelo Caravaglia: 1925-2008. www.artistsofutah.org
- The Morning Call Oct 12 1966
- The Salt Lake Tribune Nov 28 1971
- The Salt Lake Tribune May 25 1986
- www.angelocaravaglia.com
No comments:
Post a Comment