[Regular readers know that I’ve spent the past few months steeped in all that is Denver, having fallen in love with it after our first visit. We were shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the mass shooting in a movie theater outside Denver early this morning. Our sad hearts are with all the family and friends of the victims, and we know Denver’s community spirit and resilience will overcome this tragedy.]
(This is Part 5 of my Denver! Who knew? series. Check out the rest here.)
If you find yourself in Denver on the last Friday of the month, you’d do well to head to the Denver Art Museum’s Untitled events. Promoted by the Museum’s The Collective, an open community of nearly 700 members interested in creating, curating, and discussion, Untitled plays off the Museum’s collection with propless performances, interactive demonstrations, live music, food, and of course, art.
Each Untitled has a theme. On our visit, it was “LOL.” As we wandered around the museum, we would happen upon impromptu performances by local comedians disparaging/riffing off famous pieces of art. In the modern wing, a table of radio personalities had been set up in front of the stereotypical modern-art-as-farce painting of a straight black vertical line. I believe they riffed off that for a solid hour. We played around with an interactive art installation, making orbs fly across the museum’s walls. We took part in a serious, people-actually-research-this-stuff study on humor. It felt like art wonderland, with who knows what lurking behind every corner.
In the museum’s airy public spaces, rock bands jammed out as mothers in cocktail dresses and stilletos gathered around cocktails and profusely agreed that “This was such a WONDERFUL idea. So glad we finally scheduled one of these!” College-aged kids bounced around to the music and dove for the free cheese and crackers, brownies, and cakes. It was a charming and fun night.
July’s theme is “Ideate,” which I suppose is no longer just a made-up crossword word after all. The museum is inviting Denver citizens to contribute design dilemmas in their neighborhoods –lonely bus stops, peeling road paint — and talk to local design experts about solutions.
Denver: truly a city after my own heart.
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During Untitled, you are also welcome to walk around the Denver Art Museum’s collection. There’s nothing more pleasant than a quiet, contemplative stroll among the masters. If you would like to learn more about any given era or style of art, each floor has a study lounge complete with comfortable leather club and wingback chairs and wall-to-wall bookcases. All that’s missing is a sniffer of brandy and a good cigar.
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Untitled at the Denver Art Museum
Hours: Untitled events are held the last Fridays of each month, from 6pm to 10pm. Museum hours are 10-5pm Tuesday, Wednesdsay, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 10-8pm on Friday. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Admission: Untitled events are free with the cost of regular admission to the Museum. Museum tickets are $13; $10 for Military, Seniors, and College Students; and $5 for children aged 5-18. Discounts apply for Colorado residents.
How to Get There: The Denver Art Museum is an easy 3/4 to 1 mile walk from Denver’s business district. It’s also a short walk from the Light Rail lines along Stout Street and the 16th Street free shuttle. See here for more about how to get around Denver.
