A new public artwork that appears to challenge gravity is coming to downtown Ogden, Utah, bringing an internationally recognized sculptor's distinctive style to the United States for the first time.
La Vrille, a large-scale installation by Paris-based artist elparo, will open Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Dumke Arts Plaza.
The artwork is constructed using wood and repurposed materials, reflecting the artist's approach to creating dramatic sculptures that interact with their surroundings.
Weber State University is organizing the presentation through its arts programming.
The installation will remain on public display through April 9, 2027.
Admission is free.
An Artist Known for Unusual Wooden Sculptures
Elparo has developed an international reputation for creating large-scale public artwork using wood and reclaimed materials.
His sculptures often feature unexpected curves, twists, and arrangements that challenge conventional expectations about how wooden structures should look.
Rather than creating objects intended only for traditional galleries, the artist frequently develops installations that respond to the environments where they are displayed.
These projects encourage viewers to consider the relationship between a sculpture and the surrounding architecture.
Elparo has previously created public artwork in numerous countries, including Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The upcoming Ogden installation represents his first public art installation in the United States.
For local arts audiences, that makes the project an unusual opportunity to experience the artist's work without traveling internationally.
What Makes La Vrille Different?
The new installation is designed specifically for Dumke Arts Plaza.
According to Weber State University's announcement, elparo's work uses familiar materials in unexpected ways.
Wooden elements are arranged to create forms that appear to resist ordinary expectations about balance and gravity.
The sculpture's design encourages visitors to reconsider how they experience the surrounding space.
Because the installation is site-responsive, its relationship with the plaza is part of the artwork itself.
Rather than functioning as an isolated object, the sculpture is intended to interact visually with the architecture and public environment around it.
The use of repurposed materials also connects the project with broader artistic approaches involving reuse and sustainability.
Visitors will be able to experience the completed work beginning October 29.
An Outdoor Art Destination in Ogden
Dumke Arts Plaza is located at 445 25th Street in downtown Ogden.
The public space is associated with Weber State University's Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery and supports temporary art installations, performances, film screenings, and community activities.
Its programming brings contemporary artwork into an outdoor setting where visitors can encounter it outside a conventional museum.
Earlier installations have explored subjects including ecology, technology, and the relationship between humans and the natural environment.
The plaza also hosts public film screenings and other cultural events.
The arrival of La Vrille introduces another international perspective to the venue's programming.
Opening Reception Scheduled for October 29
Weber State University will celebrate the installation with a public opening reception Thursday, October 29, at 6 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
Visitors will have an opportunity to experience the sculpture during its debut presentation.
The artwork will remain on display for more than five months, allowing residents and travelers to explore it throughout the autumn, winter, and early spring.
The extended exhibition period also gives people an opportunity to return and observe how the sculpture appears under different lighting and seasonal conditions.
Planning a Visit
Exhibition: La Vrille by elparo
Opening date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Opening reception: 6 p.m.
Location: Dumke Arts Plaza, 445 25th Street, Ogden, Utah
Exhibition dates: October 29, 2026, through April 9, 2027
Admission: Free
Visitors should review Weber State University's current arts calendar for updates about the exhibition and related programming.
International Art Comes to Downtown Ogden
The installation adds another distinctive attraction to Ogden's developing public arts landscape.
For residents, it offers an opportunity to experience a new sculpture from an artist whose previous work has appeared in countries around the world.
For visitors exploring Northern Utah, the exhibition provides another reason to spend time in downtown Ogden.
And for anyone who enjoys unusual architecture, creative engineering, or artwork that challenges expectations, La Vrille promises an interesting encounter with a familiar material used in an unfamiliar way.
Beginning October 29, a collection of wooden forms will invite visitors to reconsider what gravity-defying art can look like.
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