The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art opens its doors to an inside perspective of misfit and cult filmmaker Trent Harris with the exhibit “Trent Harris: Echo Cave.” Presented with drawings, photographs, artist books and short films, UMOCA hopes the audience will find themselves immersed in Harris’ creative genius, process and unmatched style.

“This is the first time people will get to see a portrait of Trent Harris himself, his practice and also his process within his work,” said Becca Maksym, UMOCA associate curator. “[Echo Cave] gives the audience a chance to see Trent Harris for Trent Harris.”

Internationally known for his films “The Beaver Trilogy” and “Rubin & Ed,” Harris has influenced the underground cinema scene. Independent Film and Video Magazine called Harris “one of America’s premier cult directors.” But it was his book Mondo Utah, a collection of weirdness from the land of Zion, that ultimately made Echo Cave a reality for UMOCA.

“Mondo Utah was a very influential book for Aaron Moulton, our former senior curator,” Maksym said. Moulton, who held the idea a year in the making, wanted to showcase Trent’s work as a way to present Utah culture in the bizarre and cult-like medium.

The title of Mondo Utah refers to a genre of Italian filmmaking in which documentaries are exaggerated and present taboo subjects. The word “mondo” serves as an idea focused through Harris’s practice. His films often blur the line between documentary and narrative-fiction. To him, it’s a way to engage the audience in an unconventional and informative manner.

As an outsider himself, Harris’s films seem to capture the same recluse and misfit lifestyles that often reside in society.

“Moulton wanted to use ‘Echo Cave’ as somewhat of a mirror on Utah culture,” Maksym said.
“Trent Harris: Echo Cave” runs Jan. 17 – April 26 at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. There will be a special opening reception on Jan. 17 from 7-9 p.m.

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