Not Interested in Textiles? Spun Still Has Something for You

Yes, several of the exhibitions in Spun: Adventures in Textiles feature quilts and clothing (and fun craft opportunities for folks interested in quilting, sewing, and crocheting). But there are also aspects of Spun that tickle other fancies, including:

For the photography lover: Common Threads: Portraits by August Sander and Seydou Keïta is an exhibit of stunning black and white photos. Sander was documenting the diversity of German citizens and had taken approximately 40,000 photos by 1945. Keïta, considered by many as the “father of African photography,” was a portrait photographer in Mali who chronicled his country’s transition from a French colony to an independent nation. These images of individuals, couples, and families are a treat for anyone interested in photography.

For the contemporary art lover: From recycled plastics and bound clothing to charred tree limbs (and even stuffed animals!), Material World illustrates the wide range of materials and techniques used by contemporary artists. Recent acquisitions by Shinique Smith, Leonardo Drew, Tucker Nichols, and Ernesto Neto are on view for the first time ever.

For the music lover or techie: Cuppetelli and Mendoza: Transposition is a collaboration between Annica Cuppetelli, Cristobal Mendoza, and Peter Segerstrom that explores the intersection of fiber art, music, and technology. Visit Fuse Box (on level 4 of the Hamilton Building), and with your movements you can make the music change and the light display on the walls rise and fall.

For the environmentalist: The Crochet Coral Reef project by the Institute For Figuring is an installation that combines geometry, marine biology, and crocheting to create what a Los Angeles Times art critic called “gorgeous, absurd, and socially productive works of art.” With jewel-like colors and shapes, the Crochet Coral Reef is the Institute For Figuring’s attempt to raise awareness about the devastation of living reefs due to global warming and trash in the oceans. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am–4 pm, you can even crochet a piece to add to the Denver Satellite Reef. Denver is one of only two U.S. cities to host a satellite reef this year.

Spun: Adventures in Textiles is on view through September 22.