FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Rose Beetem, 720-913-0000 pressoffice@denverartmuseum.org Shadia Lemus, 720-913-0096 slemus@denverartmuseum.org Images available upon request. Star Wars and the Power of Costume Opens, Glory of Venice continues, Night at the Museums, Friday After Thanksgiving and Other November Highlights (Denver) Oct. 25, 2016 This November, visitors to the Denver Art Museum (DAM) are invited to take a unique journey into the Star Wars universe as characters are brought to life through a dramatic presentation of more than 70 original costumes. Star Wars and the Power of Costume will closely examine the captivating process of costume design for iconic outfits featured in all seven films of the Star Wars series from Queen Amidala s lavish gowns to Darth Vader s imposing black armor. Stormtrooper. Star Wars : Return of the Jedi. & 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Watch the designers and actors through several exhibition videos. Learn cultural and historic context as interpreted by Smithsonian scholars. Experience the processes of concept artists and costume designers with interactive encounters. Explore the artistry of the world s most recognized cinematic costumes, including Darth Vader, Queen Amidala, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Stormtroopers and Droids, including C-3PO and R2-D2. This exhibition will take visitors inside the creative process, encompassing the essence of George Lucas vision and the exciting challenge of translating his iconic characters into a dynamic reality. Useful tips for visitors planning their visit are available on the museum website, including photography policies, guidelines on wearing your own costume in the exhibition and more. A dated and timed ticket is required for Star Wars and the Power of Costume. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Tickets are available through the museum website, onsite and by calling 720-913-0130. #StarWarsCostumes Queen Amidala, Throne Room Gown. Star Wars : The Phantom Menace. & 2016 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Venice Comes to Denver Explore the extraordinary artistic creativity of Venice at Glory of Venice: Masterworks of the Renaissance, on view through Feb. 12 at the DAM. From the mid-1400s to early 1500s, artists forged a Renaissance style that was distinctly Venetian. Featuring about 50 significant works, Glory of Venice provides visitors with a rare opportunity to experience 19 artworks from Venice s Gallerie dell Accademia, which houses one of the greatest collections of Venetian Renaissance art in the world. Additional masterworks on view include paintings on loan from the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice and the Fondazione Magnani Rocca in Parma, Italy, as well as signature paintings from the DAM s collection.
A fully illustrated publication, produced by the DAM, is available in The Shop at the Denver Art Museum and on the museum website. Daily guided tours of Glory of Venice, offered at 1 p.m., are included in museum admission and no reservations are required. Glory of Venice is included in museum admission; youth 18 and younger are free. #GloryofVenice #ThanksSCFD #CultureForAll Vittore Carpaccio, The Flight into Egypt, about 1515. Oil on panel; 28-3/8 43-11/16 in. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.: Andrew W. Mellon Collection, 1937.1.28. Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington. Glory of Venice-related programming Art & About Tour Nov. 10: Exploring the Glory of Venice Experience the extraordinary creativity of Venice from the mid-1400s to early 1500s, when artists forged a Renaissance style that was distinctly Venetian. Art & About tours are designed for visitors with early-stage Alzheimer's or dementia and their care partners. Experience and discuss art together on a tour led by a specially trained guide. Meet on level 2 of the North Building in Duncan Pavilion. Tour and general admission to the museum are free for registered participants, but space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations will be accepted starting Nov. 1. Reserve online or call 720-913-0130. Mindful Looking: Italian Renaissance Nov. 15, 1 p.m. Join Teaching Specialist Molly Medakovich for an in-depth exploration of the exquisite details and visual storytelling of Italian Renaissance painting. Join us for Mindful Looking on the third Tuesday of each month to discover overlooked details, explore ideas and make connections as we linger, look and discuss a work of art. Meet inside the Glory of Venice exhibit on level 1 of the Hamilton Building. From the Fire: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Robert and Lisa Kessler Collection This exhibition features 65 examples of contemporary Japanese ceramic arts, created by 35 Japanese artists, from the celebrated collection of Robert and Lisa Kessler. The works include pieces made by master ceramists who were designated as Living National Treasures in Japan, as well as by emerging artists. The diversity of these objects reflects both the continuation of tradition and new creativity in contemporary Japanese ceramic arts. An illustrated catalog is available in The Shops and online. From the Fire is included in museum admission; youth 18 and younger are free. From the Fire-related programming: Conversation with a Curator: From the Fire: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Robert and Lisa Kessler Collection Nov. 4, 4 p.m. Join curator Tianlong Jiao on a tour through From the Fire: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Robert and Lisa Kessler Collection. Conversations with Curators feature lively Nakashima Harumi (b. 1950), sculpture from Struggling Form series, Japan. Ceramic. Robert and Lisa Kessler Collection. TL-35733. Nakashima Harumi discussions with different curators on the first Friday of the month. All Conversations are free with general admission and no reservations are needed. Meet at 4 p.m. in the elevator lobby of level 5 of the North Building. Curator s Circle: From Elusive Delight to "No Sense, No Content The Thinking in My Works With Ceramic Artist Liu Jianhua Nov. 18, 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) World-renowned Chinese ceramic artist Liu Jianhua will present the trail of his thinking in creating many of his intriguing and appealing works over the past two decades. Liu s seductive and provocative porcelain works and installations have been highly recognized for their visual and phenomenological impact on viewers. Free admission to the lecture and reception following, but we request reservations be made online or by calling 720-913-0130. Sponsored by Curator s Circle and the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation in honor of Celeste and John Fleming.
Night at the Museums 2016 Nov. 5, 5 10 p.m. Denver Arts Week (Nov. 4 12) is a celebration of the arts and culture in Denver. The cornerstone of the event is Night at the Museums, held on Saturday, Nov. 5. Fourteen museums in Denver and Golden will be open late with free general admission 5 10 pm. At the DAM, visitors can enjoy Glory of Venice and fun family activities throughout the museum. No reservations required. Special offer: Throughout Denver Arts Week, when you purchase a membership at any level to the DAM, you ll receive 13 months for the price of 12. For more information on Denver Arts Week, visit https://www.denver.org/denver-arts-week/. Hamilton Building s 10th Anniversary In October, the DAM marked the 10-year anniversary of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building, which opened Oct. 7, 2006. That commemoration came on the heels of the passing of longtime museum benefactor and chairman emeritus Frederic C. Hamilton. Hamilton, who gave the lead gift and helped the museum raise millions for the building project, passed away only days before the anniversary. The iconic building, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind in collaboration with Denver-based Davis Partnership Architects, expanded the DAM s worldwide presence and helped identify Denver and Colorado as a burgeoning center for arts and culture. The Hamilton Building s bold, unique architecture, which nearly doubled the museum complex, provided expanded opportunities for displaying the museum s permanent collections and world-class special exhibitions including Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective, Becoming Van Gogh, Brilliant: Cartier in the 20th Century and Women of Abstract Expressionism. A limited-edition, 272-page commemorative publication, Not Square: Settling into a Museum Like No Other, the Frederic C. Hamilton Building at the Denver Art Museum, will be available in December. NOW ON VIEW Kansai Yamamoto, T-shirt Dress, about 1980. Printed cotton jersey. Denver Art Museum: Neusteter Textile Collection. Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980s 90s Through May 28, 2017 Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980s 90s, showcases work by Japanese designers who started a fashion revolution in Paris. This debut exhibition by Florence Müller, Avenir Foundation Curator of Textile Art, Curator of Fashion, features 70 looks by powerhouse designers Issey Miyake, Kenzo Takada, Kansai Yamamoto, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe, whose impact on fashion still resonates today. Works on view illustrate concepts such as the intersection of tradition and modernity; the influence of pop culture motifs; molding the body versus hiding the body with oversized shapes; reinventing the traditional Western representation of femininity; collaborations between contemporary artists and fashion designers; and other diverse ways of challenging the fashion system. Shock Wave demonstrates how Japanese designers confronted the work of European designers (such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Anne-Marie Beretta, Azzedine Alaïa and Thierry Mugler) during the 1980s, while they inspired younger European designers (such as Martin Margiela, Helmut Lang, John Galliano and Dries Van Noten) in the 1990s. A 64- page publication, featuring many looks from the exhibition as well as the work of fashion photographers, is available in The Shop and online. Shock Wave is included in museum admission; youth 18 and younger are free. #ShockWaveDenver
Abstract Expressionism from the Denver Art Museum Through May 14 Soon after World War II, the center of the avant-garde shifted from Europe to the United States when the first American-grown modern art movement abstract expressionism was born. This first fully American movement emphasized individual expression and the freedom to experiment with materials and processes. This presentation shows how artists, including Robert Motherwell, Betty Parsons and Joan Mitchell, used loose brushwork and emphasized surface rather than depth on the canvas. A selection of works on paper in the exhibition show how artists capture the quiet intimacy of direct, informal drawing. ARTISTS ONSITE Cuatro [4]: A Series of Artist Interactions Danette Montoya North Building, Level 4 Artist Workshops: Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. 1 p.m., Create an offering for future altar pieces in these artist-led workshops. Untitled Final Friday: Oct. 28, 6-10 p.m. Come check out Danette s project for Cuatro [4]: A Series of Artist Interactions. Insider Moment: Nov. 11, 6 6:30 p.m. Drop by for an off-the-cuff chat about her work. All these events are included in museum admission; youth 18 and younger are free. No reservations are required. Cuatro [4]: A Series of Artist Interactions is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. ADULT LECTURES & PROGRAMS Joan Mitchell, Dune, 1970. Oil on canvas. Gift of Dr. Charles and Linda Hamlin. Nate Larson & Marni Shindelman, Geolocation: Worth the Wait, 2011. Anderman Photography Lecture Series Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman Nov. 3, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Working collaboratively since 2007, Nate Larson and Marni Shindelman give visual form to the thoughts we release to the social media stream. From geotagged data embedded in Twitter feeds, the artists find places where people stop to share a moment of their lives online. By pairing their photographs with texts from the original tweets, Larson and Shindelman s work memorializes these ephemeral expressions and connects us with the world in all its variety: whether banal, humorous or poignant. Tickets are $5 $12. Sponsored by the DAM Photography Department. Series funding generously provided by Evan and Elizabeth Anderman. Meet Here: An Evening of Untitled Idea Brewing and Creative Criss-Cross Nov. 18, 6 8 p.m. Local creatives, movers and makers, from chefs to crafters to musicians, are invited to brainstorm and help develop ideas for programming in 2017 including outdoor installations, residencies and the upcoming Untitled Final Fridays season. Gear up for mini-think-tank sessions, putting your head together with other creatives, snacks and a cash bar. Enter the museum s North Building, across from the entrance to the Denver Public Library. RSVPs are appreciated; please email lhegge@denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0077. Drop-in Writing: Rock (and Silence) Nov. 22, 1 3 p.m. As fall descends upon us, this month s writing session will use On Desert Time: Landscape Photographs by O Sullivan and Bell, 1871 1874, on level 7 of the North Building as inspiration. We ll practice writing about landscapes and themes like solitude and timelessness. Try your hand at a new writing topic every month, while visiting various museum galleries. Meet on level 1 of the Hamilton Building. Included in museum admission; youth 18 and younger are free.
FAMILY FUN Free First Saturday / CelebrARTE on Free First Saturdays Nov. 5, 10 a.m. 5 p.m. On the first Saturday of every month, enjoy the museum s art collections and non-ticketed exhibitions without spending a dime! Be sure to check out some of the DAM s many family-friendly activities. Free museum admission tickets are available on-site starting at 10 a.m. Free First Saturday is made possible by Your 6 Hometown Toyota Stores and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). #ThanksSCFD #CultureForAll At CelebrARTE on Free First Saturdays, enjoy bilingual fun for everyone, with a 2 p.m. DAM Highlights tour en español, Create-n-Takes and a storytelling program. Cuentistas tell the tales of artworks during Cuentos del Arte with stories para todos for everyone at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. #GraciasSCFD Create Playdate Nov. 9, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. Drop in with your little ones, aged 3 to 5, and meet up with other tots and their grownups for story time, artmaking and more! Create Playdates are included with general admission; youth 18 and younger are free. No reservations required. Foxy and Shmoxy: Art Detectives Nov. 13, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Two smart, witty and hilarious foxes are ready to solve art mysteries in the galleries. Bring the whole family to help Foxy and Shmoxy sniff out clues and unseen treasures in the museum. To find the foxes, visit the Family Activity Cart, pick up a letter from the Fox Box and follow the riddles into the galleries. Free with general admission; youth 18 and younger are free. No reservations required. Friday After Thanksgiving Nov. 25, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Spend the day after Thanksgiving at the DAM! In addition to our regular weekday offerings, the Family Activity Cart will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trek through the galleries with a Family Backpack filled with artmaking, games and puzzles. Free with general admission; youth 18 and younger are free. No reservations required. Low Sensory Morning Nov. 19, 8:30 10 a.m. At the DAM, we embrace the unique qualities of all who walk through our doors and appreciate that many visitors need to explore the museum in different ways. For individuals and families who prefer a quiet, less sensorystimulating environment we offer our Low Sensory Morning event on select Saturday mornings, before public hours. At these events, loud gallery sounds are turned down, attendance is limited, museum tours are offered and there are numerous hands-on activities and artmaking projects for individuals and families to enjoy. Included in general admission, but space is limited. Reservations now open for this event. Email access@denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0074 with any questions or for ticketing assistance. Note: This is an overview of November happenings and does not include all exhibitions, events and programs available at the DAM this month. Please visit the museum website for complete information. Media Resources Online Newsroom: www.denverartmuseum.org/press Facebook: www.facebook.com/denverartmuseum Twitter: www.twitter.com/denverartmuseum Instagram: www.instagram.com/denverartmuseum Denver Art Museum The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its holdings reflect the city and region and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Denver metro citizens support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations. For museum information, call 720-865-5000 or visit denverartmuseum.org. # # #