Inner Animals

On first viewing, Rob Mack’s color-infused animal imagery, often stamped on old wood slabs, can seem like graphic art on a board. But for Mack, It has deep meaning — and if you spend some time looking at the pieces, chances are that you’ll catch that, too. “I create things...

By Susan Froyd

July 12, 2012

Audio By Carbonatix

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1",
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "rectangle",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet|mobile"
            }
          ]
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25,
          
          "watchElement": ".fdn-content-body",
          "astAdList": [
            {
              "adType": "leaderboardInlineContent",
              "displayTargets": "desktop|tablet"
            },{
              "adType": "tower",
              "displayTargets": "mobile"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]

On first viewing, Rob Mack’s color-infused animal imagery, often stamped on old wood slabs, can seem like graphic art on a board. But for Mack, It has deep meaning — and if you spend some time looking at the pieces, chances are that you’ll catch that, too. “I create things more from the gut, and then I figure out what it means afterward,” the mountain-dwelling designer/artist says of his explorations. “My work is really a way for me to figure out what’s going on around me. I don’t believe in magic, but they are like talismans to me; they have a certain power to them. In a subtle, private way, I use it to mark milestones.”

To some extent, he explored that power in the Best of Denver-winning Microclimates collaborative installation at Super Ordinary Gallery last year. But in Refuge, Mack’s first large solo exhibit, opening tonight at Super Ordinary, the work, which incorporates found wood and construction debris, will come into its own. “These pieces are way more complicated than in the past. Some of them are layered, and I’m pushing myself into doing them bigger and heavier, too,” he notes. And while the works will be hung in a traditional way, he hopes to enhance the animal spirits in the room with a shrine-like environment.

See Refuge tonight from 6 to 11 p.m. as part of Second Saturday festivities in RiNo; Super Ordinary is located at 3126 Larimer Street. For more information, go to www.wearesuperordinary.com.
Sat., July 14, 6-11 p.m., 2012

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

Contact: Susan Froyd

Follow:

Facebook: sosfrojd

Twitter: @sosfrojd