The evening was centered around “Flip a Strip“, an architectural design competition-turned-exhibition, organized by Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA).  This competition attracted 175 entries from 11 different countries.  Participants were asked to submit redesign concepts for pre-existing strip malls (one site each was selected by Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale).  The resulting exhibition features mock-ups and finished presentations created especially for the occasion by a total of the top ten finalists. 

The exhibit is fantastic, and gives viewers a good understanding of some very sustainable (and economically viable) proposals for redesigning strip malls.  If you’re into architecture, sustainability or are just interested in seeing new concepts for familiar strip malls, then this exhibit is a must-see for you.  An important note – the competition was theoretical, intended solely to solicit inspiring ideas and not to be built.

In addition to the “Flip a Strip” exhibit, there are two other exhibits on display at SMoCA this fall.  Both are as equally intriguing as “Flip A Strip”, but offer completely different options for viewing modern art.

The first, a photography exhibit by Pedro Meyer, focuses on human interest issues.  And, because I can’t describe it any better, here is some info from the press release:

Pedro Meyer was one of the first photographers in the world to experiment with the digital manipulation of imagery in the early 1990s. His photographs were initially considered an affront to documentary traditions and to the esteemed history of “straight” photography in Mexico. Meyer consistently tests the limits of truth, fiction and reality. He often combines photographic elements from disparate times and places to arrive at a different or higher truth. His oft-expressed contention that all photographs – digitally manipulated or not – are equally “true” and “untrue” has been labeled “heretical” by the orthodox documentary photography community, no matter how forward-thinking his activity has proven to be from the perspective of the 21st century.

The last exhibit, Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting was probably my personal favorite simply because it is so different.  This exhibit features how contemporary artists transform the age-old tradition of knitting.  There is a dress knit from dollar bills; tiny, intricate socks; a floor to ceiling ‘wall’ of lace and shoelaces; an oriental rug that has been transformed…27 artists in all.  I love the diversity of this exhibit.  It’s really fun to see what these artists can do with lace, and interpretations of knitting.

All three exhibits run through mid-January 2009.  Be sure to get over to SMoCA this fall to see the exhibits that kick off their 10th Anniversary season