Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Arizona

If your travels take you to Scottsdale, Arizona this late summer or early fall, plan to visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. This small art space not only offers a cool respite from Scottsdale's blistering heat, but two of its current exhibitions are thought-provoking and intriguing.

"Branded and on Display" (now through September 21) examines "the work of artists who explore the strategies of branding and retail presentation as they respond, with both humor and criticism, to the pervasive marketing that colors our lives and leisure time" (Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art). From a video display of morphing corporate logos on the gallery floor to branded shopping bags with tree cutouts (representing the "waste of consumption"), the exhibit plays with our familiarity with branding and our unrestrained consumerism. A large digital C-print on Plexiglas features an anonymous male head branded with the Nike swoosh.

Artist James Turrell is well known for his exploration of light and space. Don't miss 'Knight Rise," one of his few public skyspaces, located in SMoCA's outdoor sculpture garden.

After visiting SMoCA, stroll to the nearby Cowboy Ciao restaurant for a crisp glass of white wine (choose from over 2000+ selections) and lunch or dinner from a menu featuring modern American food with a global twist.

Details:
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 East Second Street
Scottsdale
Tel. 480.874.4666
Admission is $7 for adults. Free Thursdays. And now through end August, Free Fridays.
www.smoca.org

Cowboy Ciao
7133 E. Stetson Drive
Scottsdale
480.WINE.1111
www.cowboyciao.com