Look up in the sky: Janet Echelman’s monumental 80-foot by
60-foot “1.26” will float over the Denver Civic Center, announcing
the Biennial of the Americas, which runs through July with a focus
on the Western Hemisphere’s 35 countries.
It expresses temporality and interconnectedness surrounding the
1.26 microsecond shortening of the day that resulted from the
February 2010 Chilean earthquake’s redistribution of the earth’s
mass.
Most programming will be very much in the here and now, seen
through the lens of a wish for a more cohesive Western Hemisphere:
visual and performing arts, dialogue among distinguished thinkers
about common issues and discussion about the arts. Four
interlocking themes run through this rich menu of sights and
sounds: Innovation, Sustainability, the Arts and Community.
While the Biennial concept has been floating around for a couple
of years, it really started coming together fairly recently,
especially after young art Mexican curator curator Paola Santoscoy
was hired, so a check on the website for the latest schedule is
suggested — also, please look at it because we can’t begin to
describe the wealth of activities planned: www.biennialoftheamericas.org.
The 1910 Greek Revival McNichols Building at Denver’s Civic
Center, once Denver’s Public Library, will be open to the public
for the first time in 60-plus years, filled with art, architectural
and design concepts and cultural events for the first Biennial of
the Americas, which will extend to related exhibits and events
across the metro area. Three floors have been transformed from a
warren of small offices to open gallery, performance and gathering
spaces, with the intention that the building will be further
transformed for public use in the future— funding needed, of
course.
“The Nature of Things” is the theme for a McNichols exhibition
of work by 24 artists from across the Western Hemisphere. The title
comes from a philosophical work by first century Roman poet
Lucretius, which addresses the Biennial themes listed above. It
speaks of how people perceive their world, including the inherent
conflicts. It is hoped that viewers will create their own responses
to what they see and hear. The redeveloping building is itself
viewed as part of the exhibition.
A site-specific installation by Mexican artist Jeronimo Hagerman
and a new mural by Santiago Cucullu from Argentina will be among
the new works shown, which will include paintings, sculpture, video
art and mixed media. One of Colorado’s best known painters, Clark
Reichert, will be included. Programs will feature participants. For
example, from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 6, Hagerman and Santoscoy will
speak.
The Americas Roundtable, brings public dialogues by prestigious
thinkers in half day sessions, held intermittently at the Ellie
Opera House July 6 through 28 (see schedule). They will address
education, philanthropy, women, public health, poverty reduction,
trade, energy and climate change, as perceived in the US, Canada
and Latin countries. Some continue dialog that began earlier. For
example, last year in Davos, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum
began a discussion of women-owned businesses and how they can
impact the global economy. the roundtable on July 7 will continue
that discussion.
An active south area participant will be the Museum of Outdoor
Art, located at Englewood’s Civic Center, which is focusing on
sustainable architecture.
A show in the gallery features “Element House architecture for a
new ecology, models and drawings of off-the-grid homes designed by
MOS Architects.
“Weidenblume” at MOA’s Samson Park, next to Comfort Dental
Amphitheatre, is a biodome made from dormant willow rods, based on
Sumerian reed construction in Mesopotamia. It’s the first U.S.
installation by German landscape architects Santfe Strukturen. The
living sculpture will take root and leaf out over several years.
Also at Samson Park, are recycled dwelling units designed by Denver
Architect Douglas Eichenberg, and installed by MOA design and Build
interns.
The fourth project “p.s.” means personal space, a pentagonal
unit to be built in one’s back yard for use as an office or studio
or… It will be completed in July.
MOA is also hosting a related Public Forum called “PLACE” for
artists and community members to discuss a possible new sustainable
live and work community for Englewood. It will take place at 7 to 9
p.m. January 29 at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood
Parkway.
The Denver Art Museum, Museum of Nature and Science, Museum of
Contemporary Art Denver, Museo de las Americas, Buntport Theater
Company, Su Teatro and other institutions will have programs, the
Kids Patch will be ongoing and outdoor concerts and performances
are scheduled, including a free Colorado Symphony concert and
fireworks on July 3. Again, consult that schedule!
Many events will be free and some, such as the Roundtables and
McNichols admission, will be ticketed.
If you go:
The McNichols Building at the Denver Civic Center is the focal
point, but activities are scheduled at the Ellie Caulkins Opera
House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex at 14th and Curtis. In
addition, museums and galleries across tow will participate. Find a
schedule at biennial of
