If you find the sharp angles and pokey corners of the new wing of the Denver Art Museum less than inviting, and are in the mood for art that hangs on the walls instead of competes with them, you might be interested in the Museum of Contemporary Art's new digs.
Formed in 1996, the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art is dedicated to providing a forum for established and emerging artists, and creating a community dialogue. In this spirit, the new building is unique in its absence of a door. Visitors follow a concrete tunnel along a series of turns to find themselves standing in the gallery, no awkward pulling instructions required.
The museum commissioned Ghanian-British architect David Adjaye, designer of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway, to design their new Central Platte Valley home. The new building occupies three translucent floors, and boasts a rooftop garden and café featuring all organic fair. But museum patrons won't have to take the stairs to see green. The museum is currently working towards a certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; success would make it the country's first contemporary art museum to achieve such status.
Keeping with its title, the museum will only display art created within the last ten years. The new space's inaugural exhibit, Star Power: Museum as Body Electric, will spotlight seven artists from seven countries, from Kenya to Canada. The art is as far-ranging as the artists, and includes an installation from South African artist Candice Breitz that features 30 Jamaicans on 30 television monitors, all singing Bob Marley's Legend album a capella.
The museum will host its Inaugural Gala, which will include a gourmet dinner, a live performance by Brightblack Morning Light, a guest DJ and mystery celebrity host, all at a very affordable $1000 per plate. However, if this party of the year is a little out of your price range, the museum will also host a free public opening this Sunday, from 10 am to 10 pm, black tie and door-opening skills not required.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver is located at 15th and Delgany. For more information, visit www.mcartdenver.org
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