Fall is the perfect time of year for cozy cafés, brisk walks about the campus and curling up with a good book or two.
But for the more adventurous and creative spirit, fall is the perfect time to go out and see what’s happening with the Denver art scene. The city is full of interesting art, and has plenty of new exhibitions to look forward to this season.
The Denver Museum of Art will be opening “Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century” on Nov 16. The exhibit will look back on the origins and history of the now-prestigious Cartier brand, and will feature several pieces of the dazzling jewelry and accessories Cartier is known for.
But if jewelry isn’t quite to one’s taste, the Denver Museum of Art will also be opening a different display, “Matisse and Friends,” which will consist of fourteen specially-selected pieces of art by French painters from the turn of the 20th century. Full of bright colors, bold brushstrokes and interesting surface texture, this display is not one to miss. It opens to the public on Oct 12.
For those who long to see something outside the realm of typical art exhibits, the Museum of Contemporary Art has plenty of unique artistic offerings, be they in the form of a film, a massive wall or an intriguing display featuring art as a sort of spiritual playground. On Oct 30, the museum will be opening a new exhibit by Mark Mothersbaugh, artist and founding member of the band DEVO (the group that is best known for the quirky and classic song “Whip It”).
The exhibit will feature art by Mothersbaugh in all sorts of mediums, such as drawings, sculptures, photographs and rugs. His style is bright, graphic and full of playful touches that give his art a touch of whimsical charm, even in his pieces with a serious message. It is titled “Mark Mothersbaugh: Myopia,” and is sure to stand out as one of the more eclectic exhibits this fall.
Just quietly appreciating art in a museum is all well and good, but, if someone is seeking a more social art-viewing experience, the Santa Fe Art District, located between Alameda and 12th Avenue is the place to go.
The first Friday of every month, the District holds a gallery walk, during which many galleries and studios are open late for public viewing. It attracts large crowds of art-lovers, and there are plenty of trendy places to eat and drink in the District as well, making it an excellent place to enjoy one’s Friday night.
But if huge crowds don’t sound particularly appealing, there is the third Friday of every month, when there are only about 20 galleries open late. This is referred to as “Collector’s Preview,” and it tends to be quieter than First Fridays. However, the odds of getting to talk with an owner or exhibiting artist one-on-one are quite high. It’s the ideal time to ask questions about the art on display, hear about upcoming projects and events before anyone else and even do some networking with the artists and their patrons. The Santa Fe Art District has something for everybody, and it’s the place to go to seek out new and exciting art.
Fall signals the start of the school year, and it’s undoubtedly going to be a busy quarter for students. But if one ever needs to escape the textbooks and essays, the museums and galleries in Denver are an excellent place to be. After all, the great Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls,” and right here, in the heart of a vibrant and creative city, is the perfect place to do just that.
