New exhibits, cutting-edge architecture dazzle visitors at the Denver Art Museum
Visitors from around the Front Range were allowed to finally explore the newest high-tech contemporary architectural expansion at the 35-hour grand opening celebration at the Denver Art Museum on Saturday.
The Denver Art Museum opened its doors with a celebration of live music, new art exhibitions and a free glimpse of the glimmering architectural design of the new Frederic C. Hamilton Building.
The expansion makes the museum one of the largest art museums from the west coast to Chicago and provides a widespread collection of more than 60,000 works of art. However, the expansion’s charm lies in the unique design of the added structure.
“This structure couldn’t have been built five years ago,” said Deanna Person, director of community relations at the museum. “The advanced technology is what has really made it possible.”
The structure contains titanium angles and illuminating reflections of the bright sun outside, while numerous complex sloping walls, maze-like grand staircases and spacious atriums fill the 146,000-square-foot interior.
Designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the museum is another in his resume of architectural marvels. Designer of the famed Jewish Museum in Berlin, Libeskind incorporated his creative vision and unconventional style in the seven-year project.
“An important thing for people to understand is the integral part Daniel Libeskind had in collaborating with the museum artwork,” Person said.
Abstract pop art from Piet Mondrian and Andy Warhol coexist with conceptual art like a giant ashtray filled with cigarettes in strange dimensions near the apex of the structure on the third and fourth floors.
The new expansion also offers a romantic view of the Old West through the Western American Art exhibit. Paintings of cowboys and American Indians are a primary theme, as well as breathtaking views of the mountains, spacious skies and canyon sunsets.
Overall, the expansion offers many different and unique pieces of art. The current temporary exhibitions have artwork from Asia and some controversial modern contemporary displays. Oceanic and African artwork is also on display on the top two floors. In addition, the Hamilton Building provides facilities for art storage and a 280-seat auditorium.
Despite all the buzz, Mateo Moore, a University of Colorado at Denver third year architecture grad student, felt the expansion’s structure drew away from it’s native style.
“It raises the question in the 21st century of what makes places,” Moore said. “American architecture is becoming less and less rooted in its places.”
Whether the structure seems very “Colorado” or not, the expansion is sure to draw the attention of many people. Cliff White, a CU-Denver senior political science major, felt the expansion finally places the Denver Art Museum on the map.
“I think it’s great. Having something that sets Denver apart is amazing,” White said.
The grand opening hasn’t concluded yet; free admission is still available until 9 p.m. Sunday. The museum will also be free for Colorado residents on the first Saturday of every month. The Denver Art Museum is located on Bannock and 13th streets in downtown Denver.
