Thank you Target !

In celebration of the DNC in Denver, Target sponsored a free day at the Denver Art Museum yesterday. The free day (as they're usually closed Mondays) was a great excuse to see the new installation of the Modern Art galleries. I applaud the modern art curator for working with Sandy Skoglund. The "Fox Games" installation looked incredible in the space. Above is a photo of a similar installation but the colors are reversed at DAM. Bright red painted walls (Target Red?) and gray foxes. Even though 5 people were stepping on the red painted floor, when I visited, (when the installation was clearly marked: stay on the path) it was the highlight of the room. The installation reminded me that Rule Gallery had some of her early early photographs up, like "Peas on a Plate" from 1978 (seen below).

Exiting DAM with a free black Target tote bag that hooks over your grocery cart, I noticed marketing was very careful not to have any donkey paraphernalia on the bag: only 2 buttons, and one that says National Convention. Thanks for the freebies, Target.

Gee's Bend

Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt at the Denver Art Museum, surprises and delights.

This last Saturday, some of the quilters came to Denver all the way from Alabama for a day of gallery sitting and sample sewing.

The show is a wonderful survey of quilts from Gee's Bend, Alabama, one of the poorest areas in the country. The quilters have become somewhat celebrities in the last couple years, with their work featured on US postage stamps, and sewing with Martha Stewart and other celebrities. The exhibit is a wonderful survey, from the faded blue work shirts in the beginning, to the more modern experimental quilts at the end. Corduroy is big in this show, showcasing the 70's Sears avocado green color. There are some nice surprises, like the double white cross of basketball jerseys, as shown above. I was also surprised to find a beautiful aqua colored fabric incorporated into some of the quilts in the back room. Not one quilt is perfectly square, high-lighting the handmade quality of the work. The exhibit inspired me to go home and rip up old stained t-shirts and search through C's closet for thread worn clothes (not a difficult task). The show is up until July 6th, and shouldn't be missed.

Free for all at DAM

Saturday was another crowded gathering at the Denver Art Museum. It was C's first time, and I was happy he appreciated the building, and didn't think it overwhelmed the artwork. I must commend the education department at DAM. The kid's activities are spot on. The laser bubble popping could keep any adult entertained for hours. "Kids look here"- nook and crannies are tucked away throughout the museum with fun creative activities - it's fantastic.

British artist, Richard Patterson's work, really intrigued me this weekend. Contemporary photo-realism at it's best. DAM has two striking large works by him in the new wing. "Minotaur With Brushstrokes" (pictured above) an oil on canvas, is so well executed. It truly looks like a high resolution print. I love the creepy quality of the action minotaur figure. The brushstrokes bring you back to reality that it's a painting, not a print. The brushstrokes, although they could seem quite obtrusive, our a welcome interruption, veiling the scene.

Christoph Heinrich, the curator of Contemporary and Modern Art, has gotten quite a bit of local press, for his exhibition plans and collecting at DAM. The work on current view is excellent, and well worth seeking out.

GET OUT THERE!

Get out there people!! Tonight is the Friday night event at the Denver Art Museum 6 -10pm, in anticipation for tomorrow, First Free Saturday at DAM. A Penny for the Contemporary tomorrow too. I'll be out there, but unfortunately am missing the cash bar at DAM (picking a friend up at the airport).

DAM I like this museum

"Free First Saturday" is approaching at the Denver Art Museum. If you don't mind crowds, this is the day to go. I recommend going early or late, but not in the middle of the day. If you want to cash in on the cashless day, then head to the older galleries, like the Asian Art, the Quilt area, and Decorative Fine Arts, as they are not as crowded as the new Liebskind wing.

If you hit one museum/gallery in all of Denver, this is the place to go. It has a great span of everything, and a wonderful place to start an art history lesson.

DAM is also good at public programs. Friday Feb.29 is an upcoming urbanite hipsters meat market. Honestly, I haven't been, but when the advertisement reads "cash bar", it means singles late night at the museum.

For those of you who have been hibernating this winter, I'll mention "Inspiring Impressionism" opens February 23rd. From the promotions, it looks like a good show, (review to come). Impressionism is always a crowd pleaser because of the pastel colors, Mary Cassatt paintings of little girls on mother's laps, and picturesque landscapes. The occasional Renoir nude is the only thing likely to stir up controversy. The show seems set up for a teaching exhibit: here's the fameous Manet, here's a French painting a 100 years before Manet, that inspired him.

Regardless of when you go, you'll always find something you like at the DAM, even if it's only in the gift shop.