Has anyone ever seen a painting of the Salt Lake Temple doorknobs where one of the knobs is turned?

[Shoot_The_Moon]

Many years ago (1996 / 1997?) I was at the mall in downtown SLC, and I saw some paintings on display from what looked like an LDS artist. My friends and I stopped to look around just for fun.

One of the paintings I saw was a close up of the doorknobs on the Salt Lake Temple. I admired how well it was done and the craftsmanship of the whole thing - but then I noticed one of the knobs was rotated, as if it was being turned by an invisible force.

And then the significance of what I was looking at hit me like a ton of bricks. It became a very powerful reminder of the reality of things yet to come.

Has anyone seen a painting like that, or can tell me who the artist is? I'd love to get a print of it for the house.

[applepansy]

I haven't but I would love to see it.

[Vort]

More likely, being turned from the other side.

[Sharky]

Were these paintings in a store or simply a kiosk type thingy out in the walkways or just a not-for-sale display?

I haven't been to SL other then just driving thru on I-15 for more then 15 years, though when we lived in Utah I do recall many times seeing painting displayed (& for sale) around kiosks at various malls all along the Wasatch Front (seems Ogden area were our general favorites).

Some of them had the most unique "LDS Themed" paintings as I recall, with ideas & concepts that sometimes required some podering to truely comprehend or understand what was depicted. Frequently my wife & I would see a painting we thought was interesting only to later realize the meaning the painting held for us, though too much time had always passed by the time we would be able to get back to the mall as the merchant was always gone.

Seems that those kiosk things were usually a short-term thing. Like the merchant or painter would "rent" the space for only a few weeks or a month at a time & them move on & would return several months later.

If that's still the case I would think as the holidays approach that they would be more likely to resurface. Not that they would have such a painting still but perhaps they could direct you to one who might.

[Shoot_The_Moon]

Yeah, Vort - I'm sure the artist got special permission from the Temple President (and probably the First Presidency) to go to the sealed temple door and have someone turn and hold the knob so he could _PAINT_ it.

[Traveler]

Many years ago (1996 / 1997?) I was at the mall in downtown SLC, and I saw some paintings on display from what looked like an LDS artist. My friends and I stopped to look around just for fun.

One of the paintings I saw was a close up of the doorknobs on the Salt Lake Temple. I admired how well it was done and the craftsmanship of the whole thing - but then I noticed one of the knobs was rotated, as if it was being turned by an invisible force.

And then the significance of what I was looking at hit me like a ton of bricks. It became a very powerful reminder of the reality of things yet to come.

Has anyone seen a painting like that, or can tell me who the artist is? I'd love to get a print of it for the house.

The painting may not have the significances you are thinking - I do not remember the date but some anti-LDS folks once tried to blow open the doors of the temple with dynamite. The doors are solid oak and somewhat thicker than normal doors and the effort failed - but it did blow the door nobs off the door and they had to be recast and remade. As a result I believe one of the door nobs on one of the east facing doors ended up in a turned position. Perhaps someone can check this out the next time they are at the SLC temple and the door-way is not filled with some picture tackers.

The Traveler

[Shoot_The_Moon]

Traveler - I'm pretty sure the effect of the painting was deliberate, and even if it wasn't it stands as a stark reminder for me of what is to come in the not-too-distant future.

Edited October 16, 2012 by Shoot_The_Moon

[Vort]

Yeah, Vort - I'm sure the artist got special permission from the Temple President (and probably the First Presidency) to go to the sealed temple door and have someone turn and hold the knob so he could _PAINT_ it.

Not sure I understand the humor. My point was, the painting probably represented someone on the other side of the door, turning the knob to enter the room.

[jerome1232]

Not sure I understand the humor. My point was, the painting probably represented someone on the other side of the door, turning the knob to enter the room.

The great thing about art, is it means what you interpret it to mean, not necessarily what the artist intended to convey.

[Wingnut]

Yeah, Vort - I'm sure the artist got special permission from the Temple President (and probably the First Presidency) to go to the sealed temple door and have someone turn and hold the knob so he could _PAINT_ it.

Many paintings are based off of a photograph of the subject.

[rameumptom]

I confess. It was ME on the inside turning the knob as the painter painted it. He was trying to do a regular painting of the scene, but being a practical joker, I quietly turned the knob while he wasn't looking. He didn't notice until after the painting was completed, by which time it was too late.

BTW, the temple matron lost $5 bucks on that bet!