March 2013: A Moment in Time: Here and Chamber Are Back, Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico On View, Untitled #55 (Bound), Artist Lectures and Other Highlights

Originally created for the Denver Art Museum’s (DAM) site-specific exhibition Embrace!, Charles Sandison’s Chamber is again on view on level two of the Hamilton Building. The video installation uses computer-generated projections of light in dazzling fashion. In an otherwise dark room, multi-colored projections form words, symbols and abstract imagery dance across the raw surfaces of the walls. The Scottish artist’s paradoxical work employs 21st-century technology to evoke primal feelings of wonder and awe. Visitors can experience Chamber through April 14.

Denver-based painter Rick Dula, who photographed the Hamilton Building throughout its construction, created the hyper-realist painting A Moment in Time: Here in 2009. It appears to peel back the interior walls of the building to expose its steel girders and underpinnings, and reveals the angular skeleton of the structure, which opened in 2006. A Moment in Time: Here will be on view through September 22. After the close of Embrace!, both artworks were acquired for the permanent collection. 

Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico: Architecture, Katsinam, and the Land brings to light a relatively unknown aspect of Georgia O’Keeffe’s art and thinking—her deep respect for the diverse and distinctive cultures of northern New Mexico. The exhibition features 53 O’Keeffe works including 15 rarely seen pictures of different Hopi katsina tithu. These Hopi spiritual carvings are commonly referred to as kachina or katsina dolls.

Beginning in 1929, Georgia O'Keeffe spent part of the year living and working in New Mexico. In addition to her beautiful landscapes, O’Keeffe was also inspired to paint some of the area’s churches, crosses and folk art as well as Native American subjects.

Between 1931 and 1945, O'Keeffe created numerous drawings, watercolors and paintings of katsina tithu. Because she retained and seldom exhibited most of these paintings, they remain generally unknown to the public. The DAM’s exhibition also showcases a selection of American Indian artworks including the Hopi figures, providing viewers with an up-close look at the various cultural artifacts the artist was exposed to during her time in New Mexico. On view through April 28, Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico is included in general admission.

Paint Studio and Weekend Artist Demonstrations

Through April 14

In the Paint Studio, visitors can dive into the creative process and explore assorted techniques and media, see tools used by artists and photographs of their workspaces, play with paint or contribute to a larger-than-life masterpiece. Each weekend local artists demonstrate different painting techniques in a variety of mediums. Free with general admission; no reservations are required.

Weekend Demonstrations in March, noon–3 p.m.

Yunn Pann: Traditional Chinese Ink Painting — March 2 & 3, March 9 & 10, March 16 & 17

Scot Lefavor: Painting with Acrylic — March 23 & 24, March 30 & 31

Untitled #55 (Bound)

March 29, 6–10 p.m.

On the final Friday in March, Untitled #55 (Bound) looks at artistic constraints and will be produced in collaboration with Opera Colorado. Take in an aria in the galleries. Opera Colorado’s Young Artists perform and give detours of the DAM collections. Artist-in-residence Will Wilson enters into a creative contract with visitors in his temporary photography studio. Untitled is included with general admission, which is two-for-one with valid student ID during the event. Cash bar. Untitled is sponsored by Macy’s Foundation and made possible by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Catering provided by Kevin Taylor.

Conversation with Curator: Laura Letinsky: Still Life Photographs, 1997–2012

March 1, 4 p.m.

Conversations with Curators feature lively discussions with different curators on the first Friday of every month. In March, join curator Eric Paddock for a discussion about perception, color and space in the still life photographs of Laura Letinsky. Free with general admission; no reservations are required. Meet on level five of the North Building. For more information, call 720-913-0130.

Artist Lectures in March

Lecture by Photographer Duane Michals

March 7, 7 p.m.

Internationally-renowned photographer and DU alumni Duane Michals discusses his eight-decade life and career as a self-described "expressionist." Blurring the lines between photography and philosophy, Michals’ imagery encompasses iconic text-and-image sequences, commercial portraiture and most recently Japanese-inspired compositions coupled with Haiku poetry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 students with ID, $10 DAM members and Colorado Photographic Arts Center members, $15 others. For details, e-mail photography@denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0043.

Logan Lecture: Alfredo Jaar

March 20, 7 p.m.

As an artist, architect and filmmaker, Alfredo Jaar is one of the foremost artistic visionaries of our time. Born in Santiago de Chile, Jaar now lives and works in New York.  Over the last four decades, Jaar’s seminal projects concerned with the working conditions of Brazilian gold miners, the detainment of Vietnamese boat people by the Hong Kong government and the slaughter of Tutsi by Hutu death squads in Rwanda have simultaneously asserted and questioned art’s ability to raise awareness, change social norms and advance social justice. All Logan Lectures begin at 7 p.m. in the Sharp Auditorium at the Denver Art Museum’s Frederic C. Hamilton Building. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $8 students and DAM volunteers, $12 DAMC members and artists, $15 DAM members, $18 others. Sponsored by Vicki and Kent Logan and DAM Contemporaries.

Will Wilson—CIPX: The Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange

March 28, 6 p.m.

Will Wilson, an indigenous artist, will discuss how his provocative photographic images challenge Edward S. Curtis's classic portraits of Native Americans frozen in the past. In his documentary style, the tintype of the early 20th century collides with modern people to indigenize the photographic exchange.  Social hour at 5:30 p.m., lecture at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 Douglas Society members, $10 DAM members, $12 others. Reservations required by March 26. For further information or to make reservations, call 720-913-0165.

Family Fun in March

Totspot Sunday

March 10, 10 a.m.–noon

Families with little ones are invited to join us for Totspot Sunday on the second Sunday of every month to participate in special programming. In collaboration with Buntport Theater, experience in-gallery performances at 10:30 or 11:30 a.m., then check out all of the other activities available to families in the museum!  Free with general admission; children 5 and under are free. No reservations required. For more information, call 720-013-0130 or e-mail familyprograms@denverartmuseum.org.

Create Playdate: Dot

March 13, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Drop in with your little ones, aged 3 to 5, and meet up with other tots and their grown-ups as we explore the use of circles and see what art you can make with those versatile shapes! Free with general admission; children 5 and under are free. No reservations required. For more information, e-mail familyprograms@denverartmuseum.org or call 720-913-0130.

CelebrARTE: Flores y Colores

March 17, 1–4 p.m.

¡Bienvenidos al CelebrARTE! On March 17, bring toda la familia and drop-in between 1 and 4 p.m. to DAM’s monthly, bilingual program.  It’s spring—and colorful flowers are blossoming all

around. Take inspiration from the painter Georgia O’Keeffe and express the power of la naturaleza through art. All CelebrARTE activities are included with general admission; no reservations are required. For more information, call 720-913-0054 or e-mail msalazar@denverartmuseum.org.

Spring Break: What's in Your Backyard?

March 23–March 31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Spend the school-free days at the museum! During the week of spring break, there will be artist demonstrations, gallery experiences and artmaking stations throughout the museum connected to the Georgia O’Keeffe in New Mexico exhibition. The Paint Studio, Family Activity Cart and Create-n-Takes will be available every day. Spring Break activities are included in general admission; kids 18 and younger receive free general admission during Spring Break.

Free First Saturday

March 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

On the first Saturday of every month, you can enjoy the museum’s art collections and non-ticketed exhibitions without spending a dime! Free general admission tickets are available on-site starting at 10 a.m. Free First Saturdays are sponsored by Target and made possible by the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).