Four artists, four new galleries and all of their accompanying unlimited creativity are barely being held in by the glass walls of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA). On Saturday, Feb. 20, the MCA welcomed Arne Svenson from New York City, Brian Bress from Los Angeles, Lanny DeVuono and Laura Shill, both Denver locals, to the museum. The MCA epitomizes Denver’s desire to grow a culturally and artistically appreciative community.
A Tall Room by Colorado’s own Laura Shill features pink tube hanging from the ceiling, inviting viewers to tangibly participate in her exhibit.Ruth Hollenback | Clarion
The first floor of the museum houses Arne Svenson’s renowned exhibit, courtesy of the Julie Saul Gallery in New York, The Neighbors. The exhibit contains a compilation of photographs peeking through windows of the newly-built apartment building across the street from his studio.
At the Patron Preview and Opening Celebration on Feb. 19 at the MCA, Svenson told the attendees, “I never wanted to see a face. I never wanted to see an identity. It would strangle the narrative.”
Laura Shill’s Absent Lovers series uses images from Harlequin romance novels and converts them into cyanotypes to portray a chilling idea of the relationship of lovers.Ruth Hollenback | Clarion
The windows are his stage and each photograph tells a stranger’s story. A compilation of selected press and media coverage regarding the uproar and controversy surrounding his crossing of privacy boundaries in his art is also featured at the exhibit. The Neighbors will be at the MCA until June 5.
The exhibit Here and Elsewhere by Denver artist Lanny DeVuono lives in the basement of the MCA in the Critical Focus gallery. Her massive canvas drawings feature images of extraterrestrial terrain inspired by terrestrial landscapes. Her pieces are unlike other popular ideas of outer space—her use of graphite, gesso and gouache gives life to the otherwise dead and cracked desert appearance of the pictures. DeVuono’s art will be at the MCA until June 5.
The top floor of the museum contains what is probably the gallery’s strangest exhibit: Brian Bress’s Make Your Own Friends. He uses what seems like an unlimited number of methods—video, doodles, sculptures, drawings, performances and more–to fashion together an assembly of hauntingly imaginative characters. Bress’s exhibit will be with the MCA until July 3, and on April 28, the MCA will host the artist to speak about his art.
Finally, Denver artist Laura Shill’s first solo exhibit Phantom Touch also resides on the top floor of the museum. Through cyanotypes, fragmented photography and other unique methods by which she creates her pieces, Shill explores the representation of women in media and subtly critiques its sexualized ideas with her art. Her exhibit includes A Tall Room, Hands of Glory, Absent Lovers and Untitled Veil, and will be with the MCA until July 3.
The MCA and the rooftop MCA Café and Bar are open Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for college students with ID is $5, for adults is $8 and for members as well as those 18 and under is free. Sign up for a basic membership for only $45 online at mcadenver.org.
