The Springs Preserve Offers Dedicated Limited-Run Exhibits
The Springs Preserve offers visitors a variety of trails, gardens, wildlife, and museum artifacts dedicated to history and science. While some attractions are available year-round, some are limited runs.
Two attractions, in particular, just ended their run at the two museums that are part of Springs Preserve. Liberace: Real and Beyond, showcased at the Nevada State Museum, and Colorado River: Artfully Engineered, showcased at the Origen Museum. The exhibits offered new narratives for visitors to dwell on at the Springs Preserve.
‘Liberace: Real and Beyond‘
The Experience
Liberace: Real and Beyond launched on August 16, 2023, at the Nevada State Museum inside the Springs Preserve. After popular demand, the attraction expanded for four months and was open until April 29. Visiting the exhibit, it’s easy to understand why Springs Preserve extended its run.
Liberace’s name on the wall greets visitors upon entering, and a sign provides a quick bio for those unfamiliar with the musician. The room contains parts of the life and legacy of Las Vegas icon Liberace. The exhibit touches on his showmanship, musical talent, and path from birth to the stage.
The photos presented in the exhibit follow his career in chronological order. The brief descriptions of his upbringing add more context, from the loss of his twin at birth to being raised by an immigrant father and a musician mother. Learning piano at age four and studying at Wisconsin College at seven adds to his development as a musician. Liberace experienced a lot before turning 17 when his unique style began garnering him an audience.
The exhibit shows fans and viewers who Liberace was and what he treasured the most. From his flamboyant costumes to pictures of family, miniature pianos, and the entertainers he surrounded himself with. One can see how much of an impact Liberace had on culture. The variety of celebrities he was photographed with and presented in the exhibit solidified the impact and connections he made. These celebrities included Elvis, Nat King Cole, Hulk Hogan, Nina Simon, Michael Jackson, and Muhammed Ali, to name a few.
The Life of Liberace
Pictures of his family are displayed throughout the exhibit. His mother is very much present, along with the things that Liberace loved. The signs in the exhibit explained that his two favorite hobbies were cooking and hosting big dinner parties. Displaying this passion, a gold table with fancy silverware, cups, plates, and chairs accompanied images of him cooking with his mother and family.
Cooking was very important to him. While on the road, Liberace said, “I carried my own utensils, pots and pans and dishes. All the hotels had to supply was a refrigerator and an electric stove which was placed on a temporary platform over the bathtub,” (Liberace exhibit sign).
Moreover, Liberace was not only a musician but also an actor. His first starring role was in ‘South Sea Sinner,’ followed by ‘Sincerely Yours,’ and later a brief role in ‘The Loved One.’ Even though his acting career didn’t take off, it added to Liberace’s showman side.
And Liberace has been portrayed as the showman he is through his evident influence on pop culture. This tribute to his showmanship includes various shows, from The Simpsons and Family Guy to Looney Toons, where Bugs Bunny pretends to be Liberace while he plays the piano.
Liberace Through the Decades
The exhibit also displayed photographs of his performances in every decade. They depicted the changes throughout his career in order, from the costumes and snapshots of his movements while on stage to the instruments he used. The photos also gradually show the progression of the showman throughout his career. With his costumes, however, the change is an increasing flamboyance that only Liberace could pull off.
His wardrobe was unique, from the rhinestones on one suit to other embellished costumes with feathers, silver and gold beads, and cordings. Some garments hadn’t been seen in years. They added to the attention-grabbing feeling that contributed to Liberace’s showmanship. Not only did the costumes become more flamboyant, but so did his piano. A rhinestone piano to match the rhinestone suit he once wore is also on display, looking as new as it did during his performances.
People remember Liberace for his ability to play classical and popular music selections of his time and communicate with those unfamiliar with the genre. “He was unafraid of revealing inner impulses and followed them to logical conclusions, no matter how unlikely,” stated an exhibit sign.
Breaking Barriers
Liberace is remembered not only for his music but also for breaking barriers. He inspired, encouraged, and helped many entertainers, artists, and outsiders who were part of marginalized communities. During segregation, he socialized and embraced his fellow entertainers with open arms and continued to bring in acts to open his shows.
His homosexuality wasn’t in the public eye at the time, but he didn’t hide it, as stated on one of the signs in the exhibit. Nonetheless, his presence gave others a hero when there was none. Elton John once said that Liberace was the first gay person he remembered seeing on television; he considered him a personal hero.
With all the memorabilia and facts about his career, this exhibit shows what Liberace loved, wore, ate, collected, and stood up for. From the clothes he wore to the people who surrounded him, the musical and cooking instruments he used, and the quotes he is known for on display on the walls, his life journey can be seen and celebrated, providing another perspective to those unfamiliar with him.
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‘The Colorado River: Artfully Engineered’ – The Style and Function of Art Deco in Western Water
The Exhibit
Another exhibit at the Springs Preserve in the Origen Museum showcases its photos until May 6, 2024. This attraction is called ‘The Colorado River: Artfully Engineered,’ exhibiting the “Style and Function of Art Deco in Western Water” by Cody S. Brothers.
The exhibit showcases 20 black and white photos of designs that went into the Metropolitan Water District Building, Iron Mountain, and the Hoover Dam. These designs resemble the era of the Great Depression, shown in a black-and-white pinhole setting shot by photographer Cody Brothers. His style and expertise highlight the quality of the designs within these buildings.
The art in the architecture is displayed in the wide, blue room for one to ponder and fully consider what feelings and thoughts arise. Each photo depicts these buildings’ lines, shapes, symmetry, history, and architectural accomplishments.
The Photography Style
In the exhibit, the photographer’s style and process are explained in a few sentences. Brothers works entirely with infrared film using various cameras, from a 4×5 and 6×17 panoramic to a pinhole. The analog captures are then scanned and output as black-and-white digital chromogenic prints. He finishes by mounting the large-format digital print to an aluminum composite substrate that he then seals with a UV over lamination. This process eliminates the constrictive feel of traditional drawing and accentuates wide-open landscapes.
Cody S. Brothers provides various angles as he works with the light present in a creative way that highlights specific aspects you can only see in the shot it’s in. His collection of photos of the Hoover Dam Overlook, Parker Dam, and Pinhole Angel captures structures that stand the test of time. They all show something about the buildings not seen in person. They might also encourage viewers to visit the actual places themselves.
#GetinMotion with Springs Preserve
Located at 333 S. Valley View Blvd, the Springs Preserve offers a variety of things to explore. In addition to the year-round gardens, wildlife, scenery, and museum attractions, check out the changing exhibits throughout the year. If you wish to explore these particular subjects, visit the attractions while you can!
Follow the Springs Preserve on Instagram and visit their website for future events, classes, and more.
Now through May 27th, The Springs Preserve is featuring ‘The Butterfly Habitat,’ weather permitting.
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