My Favorite Piece at the DAM...So Far

Rabbit Hunt, E. Martin Hennings

It's something about the colors...

Visiting the DAM for the First Time

I've been in Colorado about a week now, and I have seen many things in that short time. Of course, my first stop was the Denver Art Museum in order to get a sneak peek at the environment I will be spending my summer in. Overall, I was very, very, very impressed by the museum's educational components to their exhibits. Innovative, fun and interactive, this museum had more interpretation than I've seen before in any art museum. Be prepared. I've decided to discuss many of these interactives on this blog as I come into contact with them.

To paint you a picture of where the DAM is, it is set amid a bunch of other culturally-centered buildings, including the city's library. All of these structures have very unique architecture. The DAM itself is a combination of the contemporary structure built by Libeskind and the original museum that looks like a medieval fortress (arrow loop windows and all). Very beautiful.

Here is a glimpse into some of the museum's interactives that I so loved:

Sorry for the poor quality! This interactive is located in "The Studio," a little room off of the contemporary Western American art galleries. Using technology in an innovative way, the panel you see is set before a projection screen. Across the top of the panel, there are various questions including the following: what does it feel like to be an artist, how do you start, do you ever get stuck and what do you do, and can you talk about your art displayed at the DAM? By moving a metal cross and placing it on a specific artist's work under a certain question, the projector runs footage of that artist answering that question! Brilliant and thoroughly entertaining! I could have sat here for 45 minutes. What I love about this is that is it allows the visitor to control the knowledge that they are gaining. You can pick and choose what interests you. You can focus on a certain artist or listen to all of them!

Also in the Hamilton Building, there is a room (it looks slightly like a space-filler) dedicated to fostering the conversation "What is art?" Amidst walls covered in quotes by various artists and a video of one of the museum's curators discussing this very question, visitors are prompted and encouraged to write their answers on Post-Its and stick them up on the walls. Here are a couple of my favorites:




What I love about this is that it is an nonthreatening environment to discuss a question that has stumped many individuals. Not only is the gallery physically soothing but the manner in which visitors can comment both by name or anonymously cultivates a sense of comfort. No need to be shy here! One of the best features of this gallery is a little box at its exit that reads "Deep Thoughts." For those more prone to sit, ponder and write, there is an outlet for you here.


More to come!

Meeting Diane and Carol

Not many of you know this, but I happen to be living with nuns this summer. Perhaps this is not very thrilling for some people; however, I find it to be quite exciting! Here is the background story on how this came to be...

My father's best friend (Ski) has a sister (Diane) who happens to live about 7 miles or so from the museum I will be interning at in about a week. Being that they are best friends, my father eventually told Ski about my plans to move out West and my need for housing. Apparently, Ski quickly talked to Diane and...VOILA...she invited me to spend the summer with her and a fellow sister named Carol.

Today I met both of these sisters for the first time. Not only are they the sweetest ladies in the world but they also have the hospitality of saints...ironic, I know. My room is small and modest but it is perfect. They literally have supplied me with everything and anything that I could possibly need. Hooray for great housemates and a quiet atmosphere to reflect and absorb all the wonderful things I will be learning in the next 10 weeks!

Welcome to Colorado!

The clan finally reached Colorado yesterday afternoon, and I must say that eastern Colorado gives me the strong desire to become a vegetarian. Poor little cows all lined up to be slaughtered…Then, out of nowhere, appeared the mountains that I have come to love deeply! We have already traveled through Estes Park (one entrance to Rocky Mtn. Nat’l Park) and made a stop at Black Hawk so that mom and Aunt Noreen could put in some time at the casino. If you know anything about me, you know that I do not appreciate casinos at all. I’ve decided to blog instead. : )

During the exhaustive car trip, I have dedicated many hours to exploring the many possible excursions I could have during my free time here in Denver. My list is slightly long, but here is just a sampling of the things I plan to do:

1) Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: Nestled into the mountains just 15 minutes west of Denver, this concert venue is one of the most unique—not to mention beautiful—in the world. It’s surrounded by 300 ft. high red sandstone boulders. I’ve already ordered my tickets to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform there in late June. So excited!

2) Every single museum I can get my hands on, including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Colorado History Museum, US Mint, Molly Brown House Museum, etc.

3) Cubs vs. Rockies series at Coors Field

4) Public Art, including "Blue Bear" (Lawrence Argent)--one of the most popular public art statues in Denver. It is 40 ft. high and made up of 4,000 interlocking triangles.

SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!

So much more to include…you can read all about my adventures as the summer progresses!

Leaving Indiana

So, after 6 years of life in Indiana, I have finally left the Hoosier State “for good.” I only use quotations because—like many circumstances in my life—change is common and surprises are even more frequent. I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised if by some twist of fate I end up back in Indiana. In any case, I moved all of my belongings back to Chicago and said my goodbyes to my family, friends, and the new addition to the family—Lola, the English bulldog.

How could I possibly leave that face?!

After reluctantly detaching myself from Lola, my mother (Mary), my aunt (Noreen) and I headed off early on Saturday morning for the West. In only 3 days, I would have to say that I have experienced some of the strangest events in my life; they include the following:

1) Aunt Noreen, Mom, and the “Snoring Symphony:” From a very young age, I knew that both of my parents snored obnoxiously loud; however, it wasn’t until this trip that I realized that my aunt is much, much, much worse than both my mom and dad combined! We have now dubbed her “Aunt Snoreen.” Just to paint a very detailed picture for you, she was snoring so loud I had to sleep in our hotel’s bathtub in order to take advantage of the noise barrier the bathroom door provided.

2) Dad and Grand Island, NE: When my dad called us to tell us to stop for the night in Grand Island, NE because it was a “lovely place,” he forgot to mention the fact that never has he been there nor had he heard of the place prior to the day that he called. Needless to say, Grand Island is not so grand—our hotel was hosting a Harley Davidson convention.

3) Kitsch, Kitsch, and More Kitsch: On a lighter note, I have found a fondness for kitschy things, such as the free Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in Fort Cody, NE. Lovely people working there, decade old dioramas, and $12 buffalo jerky (we found a sign for $.99 buffalo jerky upon our arrival in Colorado). Definitely not a museum…


So much more to say; many more posts to come!

The Adventure Quickly Approaches!

Last November I obtained an internship with the Denver Art Museum for the summer of 2009. As their Education Interpretation and Exhibition Intern, I will assist in the development of interpretive materials for various audiences to be installed in support of the temporary exhibition entitled Embrace! Scheduled to open in the fall of 2009, Embrace! will explore the spatial and visual qualities of the interior of the museum's new Frederic C. Hamilton building. Roughly 15 artists will create site-specific installations that utilize the architecture of the building in innovative and thought-provoking ways.

After many months of waiting, my big day to move out West is quickly approaching! Not only am I excited to experience a major decrease in humidity but I am anxious to apply all of the things I have learned during my coursework at IUPUI. Denver, here I come!