The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art hosted a retrospective exhibition titled SLUG Retrospective: 30 Years Under the Influence, which showcased the evolution of Salt Lake Underground Magazine from its origins in the late 1980s through three decades of cultural influence.
Origins and Punk Roots
The exhibition, which ran from June 29 to October 20, 2018, served as a historical survey of the publication's impact on Utah's underground scene. According to the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA), SLUG Magazine was originally established with the specific goal of creating a guide to help navigate Salt Lake City's "rising underground scene."
Cultural Influence in Utah
The magazine's foundations were deeply rooted in the punk subculture of Salt Lake City. UMOCA noted that beginning in the late 1980s, SLUG Magazine filtered aesthetics and ideas similar to the Situationist International agenda—a movement adopted by the 1970s London punk scene—into its representation of the local community.
Evolution of Content
For 30 years, the publication functioned as a visible cultural anchor for various groups within the Salt Lake City underground. This included musicians, artists, writers, and other members of the city's punk subculture, particularly disenfranchised youth.
Expanded Media Coverage
The magazine underwent a significant visual and thematic transformation over its three-decade history. It began as a black-and-white publication focused almost exclusively on punk rock culture. Over time, it transitioned into a well-designed, full-color magazine that expanded its coverage significantly.
Community Involvement
As the publication grew, it moved beyond music to cover a wide range of local interests. Its expanded territory included coverage of the local film and art scenes, as well as topics such as fashion, bicycling, action sports, and beer.
Exhibition Highlights
Beyond its role as a news source, SLUG Magazine became a major sponsor for local events. One notable example included the magazine's involvement with the annual Craft Lake City DIY Festival.
Exhibition Support
The retrospective exhibition featured a treasury of memorabilia from the magazine's history. The display included copies of every single issue published since the magazine's inception in 1989, illustrating both the history of the publication and its lasting effect on Salt Lake City's underground scene.
