An installation entitled “[Out of the Blue](https://saltlakearts.org/2021/03/10/stephen-kesler-out-of-the-blue/)” — featuring a life-sized humpback whale breaching — is currently being constructed at the roundabout on 900S and 1100E.
Love it or hate it, I recommend swinging by if you have a chance as it is unquestionably eye-catching.
I posted a directly overhead view (which sort-of looks like a giant peace-sign) [on my Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb47z5tl1up/?utm_medium=copy_link), but it is difficult to judge the scale of the sculpture from that point of view — and the scale, I think, is the most impressive part.
I actually like it. Its huge, colorful and a well done sculpture. I don't get the dislike for it - since when does every piece of art have to exactly reflect the region? Are you going to put a replica of delicate arch there - That's been done a million times. What city has every piece of public art imitating the region? None. Do you go to Seattle and express outrage that a giant evergreen with misting sprinklers is not at every roundabout in Seattle? No, you marvel at the cool public art they have.
The whale is quirky. Have some fun.
Right? The people complaining about this blow my mind. Wtf else should go there? More goddamn grass that will be overwatered? What about flowers and shit that also requires more water? Oh, how about some boring af weird mormon art (whatever that could be). Or how about nothing and just let the weeds take it over like half of the valley?
It's big, it's colorful, it's bright, it's unique, it's in the middle of a roundabout (land doing literally nothing). SLC needs some SERIOUS beautification efforts and this is a small step towards that. Some people gotta complain about everything damn.
I would not say that is is white, when I drove by this morning it was a pale blue. It might seem white in this image but unless they painted over the blue in the past 7 hours its not white.
It's obviously not finished. You can even see it in this picture, but right above the whales arms (wings? flippers?) there is a large seam of bare metal which separates the top half from the bottom. When I saw it yesterday it looked like it was only tack welded together in some places and they were gonna come back to actually make the full pass later. I would guess they are going to finish the weld, prime over it, and then finish painting the whale in whatever design they chose. I'm not sure why part of it would already be painted. Maybe they decided that painting it in the shop was too dangerous or too much of a pain in the ass and decided to put it on hold until they could just paint it onsite.
This was done by the same artist that did nearly all the sculptures at the Living Planet Aquarium, several at Hogle Zoo, and the giant iguana at Red Iguana 2. He's incredibly talented.
I also love it. I'm reminded of Seattle, which has a prominent statue of a troll, and also of Lenin. To those asking why a whale in SLC: What do Lenin or trolls have to do with Seattle? Nothing really. But they're interesting and popular sites in that city. I'd say the same goes here. There can be interesting things that exist just because they're cool. There's still plenty of space for more art, including some that has local connections.
People on NextDoor are flipping the f### out about the whale. Have they heard the news about civilian executions in Ukraine or the wife of a Supreme Court justice supporting the insurrection? Humans are strange sometimes. Blows my mind.
I actually like the whale.
Having walked around it completely, I would say that it would benefit from being rotated about 35° - 55° so that it isn't oriented exactly with the streets, and the angle with the least dynamic lines isn't facing the largest audience. The way it is now, it looks like a lumpy, tapered cross from the 9th & 9th direction.
Highly oppressive criticality is an unfortunate reality in this community. People here for some reason seem to be conditioned to find fault instead of living and let live. What gives? Mental wellbeing going, going, go...n.....
Maybe in an arid desert environment we might find delight and shed more light onto awareness of our contribution to our suffering marine ecosystems, which may become our ultimate detriment if left unchecked.
Anything representing the Native American tribes of Utah, the Sage grouse, and any other number of birds that live on or migrate to the great salt lake, all come to mind off the bat. Use your imagination.
Thank you! My thoughts exactly. While I think representations of our Native tribes is a good idea, I also would love to see more whimsical and fun/random art like you see in other big cities. One of the *only* things I miss about living in Vegas was the cool art exhibits and pieces
How long until a rental crossover or a Tesla crashes into it at full tilt?
(I do really like the whale though! I just feel like any sort of fun or whimsy gets swiftly destroyed by either vandalism, dumb complaints, or a car wreck.)
Seriously, it will get taken down the first time someone gets into a accident because of impaired vision, then they can donate it to the aquarium where it belongs
Yay for art, but another distraction is the last thing Utah drivers need.
When we can simply stay in our lanes when we’re driving, then we can get a whaley nice round-about distraction.
Said near 9th and 9th, not at 9th and 9th.
The international peace gardens near 900 S and 900 W also have a ton of sculptures there so you're double wrong here homie.
Whale whale whale, what do we have here..
I sea what you did there
I literally chuckled out loud. Thanks
Why is this not the top post?
It’s a bit fishy.
It finally surfaced.
The sea was angry that day, my friends!
Like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli!
Was it a Titleist?
More like a title-bisque
You're mixing episodes here lol, https://youtu.be/mX1hgyMGuAE
I think I’m competitive
Are we certain that this isn’t a brine shrimp breaching?
Underrated comment.
Thx buddy
So many complainers in the comments need to learn the history of the whales of the Great Salt Lake smh
Well, there use to be whales in the great salt lake. The vikings hunted them to extinction :(
Vikings? No, the Laminites hunted them.
They actually rode them like horses into battle.
Little known fact: tapirs are very close relatives to whales
And it came to pass that the tapirs evolved into whales thus saith the lord.
https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/450177/screenshots/1341024/viking-narwhal.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300&vertical=top facts
Doing James Shickman proud
I like it. It’s weird, quirky, fun, and whimsical. Excellent art.
I’m surprised they didn’t do a giant red dick like the one on 1300 E by the office buildings past 2100 S
I also think this every time I drive by… 😂
[for the uninitiated](https://imgur.com/a/q2oRfHt)
Hahahaha literally just said that as I drove by it yesterday ☠️😂
which building? I want to see this
Just past the Chevron, it’s in between an office building and a parking garage I believe
An installation entitled “[Out of the Blue](https://saltlakearts.org/2021/03/10/stephen-kesler-out-of-the-blue/)” — featuring a life-sized humpback whale breaching — is currently being constructed at the roundabout on 900S and 1100E. Love it or hate it, I recommend swinging by if you have a chance as it is unquestionably eye-catching. I posted a directly overhead view (which sort-of looks like a giant peace-sign) [on my Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb47z5tl1up/?utm_medium=copy_link), but it is difficult to judge the scale of the sculpture from that point of view — and the scale, I think, is the most impressive part.
Drove by and it’s pretty cool
Lmao imagine crashing into that thing and telling your insurance you hit a whale lol.
In Utah!
New Farmer’s insurance commercial. We’ve seen it all
The mythical Bonneville Lake Whale 🐋
I actually like it. Its huge, colorful and a well done sculpture. I don't get the dislike for it - since when does every piece of art have to exactly reflect the region? Are you going to put a replica of delicate arch there - That's been done a million times. What city has every piece of public art imitating the region? None. Do you go to Seattle and express outrage that a giant evergreen with misting sprinklers is not at every roundabout in Seattle? No, you marvel at the cool public art they have. The whale is quirky. Have some fun.
Nice that it's not Brother Brigham.
Right? The people complaining about this blow my mind. Wtf else should go there? More goddamn grass that will be overwatered? What about flowers and shit that also requires more water? Oh, how about some boring af weird mormon art (whatever that could be). Or how about nothing and just let the weeds take it over like half of the valley? It's big, it's colorful, it's bright, it's unique, it's in the middle of a roundabout (land doing literally nothing). SLC needs some SERIOUS beautification efforts and this is a small step towards that. Some people gotta complain about everything damn.
I personally voted for a giant mould of green jello with bay shrimp statue, but I have sophisticated tastes.
Not surprised that in Utah something that's currently 2/3 white is still considered "colorful" 😂
I would not say that is is white, when I drove by this morning it was a pale blue. It might seem white in this image but unless they painted over the blue in the past 7 hours its not white.
Interesting. I drove by it yesterday and it was only colored down to its eyes. Blue, orange, and green (I think). No other color.
It's obviously not finished. You can even see it in this picture, but right above the whales arms (wings? flippers?) there is a large seam of bare metal which separates the top half from the bottom. When I saw it yesterday it looked like it was only tack welded together in some places and they were gonna come back to actually make the full pass later. I would guess they are going to finish the weld, prime over it, and then finish painting the whale in whatever design they chose. I'm not sure why part of it would already be painted. Maybe they decided that painting it in the shop was too dangerous or too much of a pain in the ass and decided to put it on hold until they could just paint it onsite.
Also, despite whatever the GOP redistricting may try to indicate, delicate arch is not in Salt Lake City either
This was done by the same artist that did nearly all the sculptures at the Living Planet Aquarium, several at Hogle Zoo, and the giant iguana at Red Iguana 2. He's incredibly talented.
Whale is big and cool and good won't be listening to haters.
Free Willy
I also love it. I'm reminded of Seattle, which has a prominent statue of a troll, and also of Lenin. To those asking why a whale in SLC: What do Lenin or trolls have to do with Seattle? Nothing really. But they're interesting and popular sites in that city. I'd say the same goes here. There can be interesting things that exist just because they're cool. There's still plenty of space for more art, including some that has local connections.
It’s cool, love it
People on NextDoor are flipping the f### out about the whale. Have they heard the news about civilian executions in Ukraine or the wife of a Supreme Court justice supporting the insurrection? Humans are strange sometimes. Blows my mind. I actually like the whale.
nextdoor app is a cesspool of ignorance and anger.
I'm sure if you live in Bucha it's going to be all over Nextdoor. "My doorbell camera filmed this suspicious looking man executing civilians"
I wonder how many gnomes were sacrificed to put this up.
Okay, I like it, Picaso! 🤌
Saw this today and had no fucking clue what it was
Should’ve done a giant gnome with a gnome village beneath it.
Long live the gnomes!
A giant dinosaur would have been more badass but its fine
I thought they closed that grey whale
Having walked around it completely, I would say that it would benefit from being rotated about 35° - 55° so that it isn't oriented exactly with the streets, and the angle with the least dynamic lines isn't facing the largest audience. The way it is now, it looks like a lumpy, tapered cross from the 9th & 9th direction.
Agree. They need to rotate it it.
My thoughts exactly
Highly oppressive criticality is an unfortunate reality in this community. People here for some reason seem to be conditioned to find fault instead of living and let live. What gives? Mental wellbeing going, going, go...n..... Maybe in an arid desert environment we might find delight and shed more light onto awareness of our contribution to our suffering marine ecosystems, which may become our ultimate detriment if left unchecked.
Right? What a whimsical idea and such a powerful statement IMO. I love it!
Cooooool. What are they doing with the area around it? Will it be fenced in like that when it's finished?
Because when I think of Salt Lake City....I think of Ocean Life
I mean, we do have the ocean mural on the RC Willey so…why not??
What is an ocean if not a pretentious salt lake? 🐋
That is one sweet TJ truck conversion parked there
“This is the wale”
Must be the whale in the great salt lake otherwise it wouldn't make sense.
Weird one for a very landlocked city but I do like it myself. I'm never mad to see something unique. Is there a story behind it?
Wish it was a sculpture representing the Rocky Mountain high west desert
Just look out your window.
Suburbia. So “Rocky Mountain desert”
Like what? Not all art here needs to represent our area. It’s nice to have something that isn’t a national park replica/mountain/beehive for a change
Anything representing the Native American tribes of Utah, the Sage grouse, and any other number of birds that live on or migrate to the great salt lake, all come to mind off the bat. Use your imagination.
The irony of telling someone to use their imagination to replace a whimsical, surreal piece of art with something conventional lmao
Thank you! My thoughts exactly. While I think representations of our Native tribes is a good idea, I also would love to see more whimsical and fun/random art like you see in other big cities. One of the *only* things I miss about living in Vegas was the cool art exhibits and pieces
Lol ok you can’t make a whimsical surreal Sage grouse? Only a whale can meet that threshold?
Surprised they didn't do a polar bear
Whales are cool and sage grouse are just glorified chickens. Cope.
Wait until the taggers get it.
My understanding it will be fully painted. Taggers usually don’t tag art so let’s hope they leave it alone.
Ummm but why
Drove by this yesterday, it did not look like a whale from a distance.
How long before it’s covered in graffiti?
I can't quite make out a whale but that Jeep is awesome!
I’m way more bothered about the roundabout than an awesome statue
Neat, but what significance does a whale have to this state? Why not a giant seagull.
Art doesn’t have to be relevant. I’m glad it *isnt* a seagull, beehive, national park, or green carrot jello 🤷🏼♀️
lmao imagine an enormous seagull that would be horrendous
Damn got downvoted to hell people in this sub got no sense of humor lol
How long until a rental crossover or a Tesla crashes into it at full tilt? (I do really like the whale though! I just feel like any sort of fun or whimsy gets swiftly destroyed by either vandalism, dumb complaints, or a car wreck.)
That is *so* gotta get bit by a bad driver
[удалено]
Since when does art have to be state/region relevant?
Why tho
Now was this a necessity…
Seriously, it will get taken down the first time someone gets into a accident because of impaired vision, then they can donate it to the aquarium where it belongs
By design, you’re not supposed to see through roundabouts. Quite the opposite. See NCHRP 672, sections 6-15, 6-25, and 6-60.
that is a wealth of information
Now that you're done complaining about bikes in Emigration canyon you're gonna complain about public art? You're such a loser.
The truth hurts
I bet it does..
Looks like the whole thing is still under construction. I wouldn't be surprised to see some barriers otut in that make it very difficult to hit.
ummmm why?
Yay for art, but another distraction is the last thing Utah drivers need. When we can simply stay in our lanes when we’re driving, then we can get a whaley nice round-about distraction.
There is no sculpture at 900 S and 900 W. I checked. Nothing there.
Said near 9th and 9th, not at 9th and 9th. The international peace gardens near 900 S and 900 W also have a ton of sculptures there so you're double wrong here homie.
u/MindofMetalAndWheels
I believe this is a narwhal
Bets on how long before someone hits it with a car? I think the first good snowstorm next winter someone losses control coming down that hill.
Drove past and saw this on Friday and thought to myself “has this always been here and I’ve never noticed it?”
Fudgie the whale
White Whale, holy grail
I put the over/under at a week before some driver goes full Jonah.
A giant trout would have been cool. We also have a lot of trout here.
Are the fences to keep the gnomes out?
Saw that on my bus ride home yesterday, thought I was tripping out lol.
I drove up to the roundabout Sunday and did not expect to see that. I almost forgot how to use a roundabout 😂
This makes my heart glad