2013 |

Dec 05 2013

2013

Paul Klein’s First Report from Art Basel Miami, 2013

Reblogging Paul Klein‘s great visual overview of Art Basel. It appears less hype and trendy this year. Not many ‘words’ this year.

From Paul Klein, Chicago, Huffingtonpost

I’m in Miami again, visiting the mother of art bordellos, Art Basel Miami Beach. There’s room for every opinion about this show. I saw lots of beautiful, impressive art from the secondary market and plenty of significant art seen for the first time. And it’s all expensive.

It’s the money that shapes this show. What’s sold must be to expensive to cover the cost of participating. There’s some, but not much risk-taking; mostly ‘just’ high end, top notch merchandise. See how many of the artists you recognize.

I also went to the Untitled Art Fair, which is literally on the beach, in a tent. Much of the art on view is by young, emerging artists. It’s fun and uneven. Whereas in the ABMB show (above) viewers ‘know’ they are looking at good art, here it is up to each individual to make up their own mind.

I’ve enjoyed the shows. I hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse.

Nov 28 2013

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2013

Happy Thanksgiving to my art loving friends. Thank you for liking Denver Art Matters. It’s been so much fun.

Pig out,

Jan

Oct 17 2013

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****Review, 2013

“Just Like Us” – Compelling Story on Stage

Helen Thorpe and DCPA John Moore at the Tattered Cover Bookstore, Lodo, September 2013.

I had the good fortune of being at the Tattered Cover bookstore in September for The John Moore Theater Talk. He had invited Helen Thorpe, author of the book, Just Like Us, and Karen Zacarias who turned the book into the play, Just Like Us, that is playing at the Stage Theatre at the DCPA as I write.

Thorpe is an accomplished writer (and still the wife of Governor John Hickenlooper). Her endearing journalistic journey took her down a long and interesting road. She spent years documenting the lives of four Denver Latina women who were best friends. She befriended them while they were in high school and continued knowing and observing them through the college years. That in itself was an amazing journalistic feat.

What grips the audience and gringos in the audience is the fact that there is a social status among people of Mexican heritage who live in America. The dividing line is who is legal and who is not. I may have known that, but in this context, no.

Of the four women chronicled, two had papers, two did not. Just Like Us is the story of how that particular status impacts a life, a future, education, career and ultimately the well-being of the off-spring.

Regardless of one’s stand on immigration, this is a story that should be told and heard. It is real. It is beyond many American’s radar or understanding. And while it publicizes the dire state of living as an illegal in the United States, it is also heartbreaking to know that children are the true victims of the immigration system. The story is an eye-opener about the perils of life without papers.

Just Like Us is potent entertainment. The four women are excellent actors who portray the Denver characters with youthful enthusiasm and skill. Karen Zacarias did a marvelous job of bringing the book to the stage. Mary Bacon, was Helen Thorpe. She portrayed her with the class and kindness that is emblematic of the First Lady of Colorado.

Helen Thorpe has brought to life a remarkable story that is both powerful and important. It is this season’s must see.

Tagged Helen Thorpe, Karen Zacarias

Feb 15 2013

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2013, Artist to Watch

How to Make a Baby, by photographer Patrice Laroche

This is the cutest most clever photo shoot project I’ve seen in a long time. It was sent to me via email.

Enjoy.

I always wondered…finally the truth reveals itself.

Canadian photographer Patrice Laroche surely will have no trouble explaining

to his kids about the birds and the bees. During his wife Sandra Denis’ pregnancy,

the artist created hilarious explanatory photo series titled “How to Make a Baby”.

The creative couple planned and carried out their project throughout the whole

period of 9 months, taking pictures in the exact same settings as Sandra’s belly

expanded. The pregnancy saga of Sandra and Patrice basically denounces all the

traditional cabbage and the stork stories.

—

Jan 21 2013

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2013

Mark Your Calendars – FREE SCFD Days in 2013

It’s the time of year to mark the 2013 free days at the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the Denver Zoo. Obviously it’s good for your pocketbook, but, I find once I plug these dates onto my calendar I am more apt to plan the weekend around one of the exceptional facilities we are so fortunate to have in Denver. It’s like being invited to a party – it’s rude not to go unless you’re sick in bed. Denver is generous with their free days I say don’t miss the party.

DENVER ART MUSEUM, 13th & Acoma, 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.org. FREE on first Saturday of each month for Colorado residents, 10 am – 5 pm. One per person. The DAM will also be free on April 28 for Dia de los Ninos and September 7 for the annual Friendship Powwow.

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS, 1007 York, 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org. January 21, February 18, March 27, Aprill 22, July 9, August 27, October 7, November 2.

DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 14th & Curtis, 303-547-3410, denvercenter.org. Each Tuesday at 10 am the DCPA will release ten $10 tickets for every Denver Center Theatre Company performance in the coming week. Use code SCFD.

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE, 2001 Colorado, 303-322-7009, DMNS.org. January 28, February 11, April 21, May 12, June 3, July 1 & 21, August 11 & 19, September 8, October 6, December 9.