Photo by: Sarah Gjertson

It is a forgotten world. A world where blue rinses are common and weekly appointments are a must. Old hair appliances, some dating from the early 1930s are displayed, including a very impressive Nestle Aristocrat Electric Perm Machine. But it is not the appliances that captivate the viewer: it is the literal submersion into a disappearing culture. The effect is nostalgic.

The exhibit is located in the Victoria H. Myhren Gallery at the Shwayder Art Building. It was created by Sarah Gjertson, the assistant professor in the School of Art and Art History, and the head of the core art and media program.

It is accurately named “Parlor Project” considering Gjertson traveled to various beauty parlors across Colorado and Wisconsin to record her observations and immerse herself in the culture found at these unique establishments. The entire process took a year to complete, and the final creation intimately interacts with the women of society who continue to get their hair styled weekly at their local beauty parlor. Gjertson has brought to the public’s attention – through art – a disappearing community.

“It’s something good artists do to get us to pay attention to things that are nearby but aren’t noticed,” said gallery director Dan Jacobs.

Stepping into the gallery is like stepping into a vanishing but ever-lively culture. Through the use of large-scale photographs, video, sculpture, and old appliances, a forgotten culture is brought back into focus. The exhibit is a look at reality through art.

“It is a window into a special place and a special community of people,” said Gjertson.

In a side room of the gallery, three videos are projected onto the walls, allowing the viewers to literally surround themselves in this fading tradition of weekly parlor visits. Each video shows footage of aging women as they talk, laugh, and interact with each other.

According to Gjerston, the women in her exhibit have created a distinct society, one that is based on relationships that have been built over decades, gossip, community and beauty. She found that the women found in beauty parlors possess a certain confidence and beauty that was found through the process of aging.

“In their wrinkles and graying hair there is a lot of beauty and warmth,” said Gjertson.

The exhibit will be at the Myhren Gallery until March 11, and will then travel to Wisconsin for the summer. The show is free and open to the public.