FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Rose Beetem, 720-913-0000
[email protected]
Ashley Pritchard, 720-913-0096
[email protected]
Images available upon request.
Special Mark Rothko Event Tickets On Sale, Spun Programming,
Untitled #60 (Signature) and Other August Highlights
(Denver, Colo.) July 24, 2013 — On view at the Denver Art Museum (DAM) through September 29, Figure to
Field: Mark Rothko in the 1940s traces the development of Rothko’s work during the most critical decade of his
career. Drawn primarily from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.—the largest repository of Rothko’s
work anywhere in the world—the exhibition includes many rarely seen paintings, drawings and watercolors.
Figure to Field traces Rothko’s decade-long journey from figurative
paintings through surrealism and to his classic color field paintings—the
signature compositions of softly lit rectangular fields that have the
capacity to transport viewers to meditative states. The color field
paintings are the works on which his stature as one of the most famous
American painters of the post-war period rests. To provide a broader
context for Rothko’s development, the exhibition also includes works by
other celebrated abstract expressionists such as Robert Motherwell,
Clyfford Still and Jackson Pollock, who shared Rothko’s search toward
total abstraction. The exhibition is included in general admission.
An Evening Celebrating Mark Rothko
September 20
The weekend-long celebration kicks off with an evening celebrating
Mark Rothko as the DAM and the Clyfford Still Museum join together to
present a program beginning with a lecture by Harry Cooper, curator of
modern art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. After the
lecture, visitors can explore Figure to Field and enjoy heavy hors
d’oeuvres. The evening concludes with a performance of The Rothko
Room, an original piece for piano, composed and performed by
Washington D.C.-based musician Haskell Small. Tickets are $12–24.
For details, visit the museum website or call 720-913-0130.
Mark Rothko, No. 9, 1948. Oil and mixed media on canvas;
Gift of The Mark Rothko Foundation, Inc. National Gallery of
Art, 1986.43.143 ©1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher
Rothko/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Image
courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
A Weekend Celebrating Mark Rothko: Chamber Theater performance of John Logan’s Red
September 21, 1 p.m. (doors open at 12:15 p.m.), and September 22, 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:45 p.m.)
The weekend continues as Curious Theatre Company and the DAM present chamber theater performances of
John Logan’s Red. The winner of six Tony Awards including Best Play, Red is set in the late 1950s as Mark
Rothko struggles to complete his commissioned Seagram Murals for the Four Seasons in New York City. The
play invites you to look into the art, the sacrifice and the exhilaration of painting, daring you to leave unmoved.
Tickets are $15–$22. A special weekend package (including Friday night and one performance of Red) is
available for DAM Contemporaries, CultureHaus and DAM members only. For tickets or to join, visit the museum
website or call 720-913-0130.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the Cooke-Daniels Memorial Lecture Fund, DAM Contemporaries, the Clyfford
Still Museum and CultureHaus.
Spun Programming in August
Complementing Spun: Adventures in Textiles, on view through September 22, the DAM presents an array of
programming that encourages visitors to explore the vibrant medium of textiles through a drop-in Quilt Studio,
curator talks, the Institute For Figuring's Crochet Coral Reef Project, demonstrations and a pop-up dye garden.
Crochet a Piece for the Denver Satellite Reef
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (through September 22)
Join the Institute For Figuring’s Crochet Coral Reef Project and learn
how to crochet your own reef creations at weekend workshops. Add
your own piece to this collaborative work. Free with general
admission; no registration required.
Conversations with Curators
August 2, 4 p.m. — Irresistible: Multicolored Textiles from Asia
The Denver Satellite Reef, part of the Institute For Figuring’s
with Ronald Otsuka
Crochet Coral Reef project, 2005–present.
August 16, 4 p.m. — Material World with William Morrow
August 30, 4 p.m. — Common Threads with Micah Messenheimer
Conversations with Curators feature lively discussions with different curators on the first Friday of every month.
Additional Conversations with Curators are being scheduled this summer as part of Spun. Free with general
admission; reservations are not required.
Cover Story Tactile Tables
August 10, 2–4 p.m.
The tactile tables are an opportunity for blind and low vision visitors to experience Cover Story, the inaugural
show for the new textile art galleries, in a hands-on way. Objects featured in Cover Story mirror the diverse
geographical areas and range of textiles found in the DAM’s permanent collection. Enter through the North
Building lobby. Free with general admission, but reservations are appreciated. The program will be offered again
on September 14. For more information, e-mail Sally McCance at [email protected].
Drop-In Lace Demonstration
August 16, 6–8 p.m.
Local artisans from the Rocky Mountain Lace Guild will demonstrate a variety of lace techniques in the level six
Thread Studio in the North Building. Visitors can watch and ask questions as they work, or try their own hand at
bobbin lace. Free with general admission; reservations are not required.
PreVIEW Open Window
Thursdays through September 26, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how DAM staff prepares works of art for display. For two hours on a weekly
basis, visitors can observe and interact with conservation and other staff as they assess, handle and treat
objects from the textile art collection.
Quilt Studio and Weekend Demonstrations
Every day in the Quilt Studio, visitors can explore the innovative world of contemporary quilting and immerse
themselves in the creative process while weekend demonstrations by local artists provide a behind-the-scenes
look at quilting practices.
August schedule: Saturdays & Sundays, noon–3 p.m.
• August 10 and 11: Rita Meyerhoff — crazy quilting
• August 24 and 25: Hari Walner — continuous line quilting
• August 31 and September 1: Deana Harragarra Waters — Native American quilting
Untitled #60 (Signature)
August 30, 6–10 p.m.
At Untitled #60 (Signature), find out how artists make their mark and learn how to separate the facts from the
fakes. Get your offbeat art fix, pick up a creative skill and convene with movers and makers. Untitled is included
with general admission, which is two-for-one with valid student ID during the event. Untitled is sponsored by Macy’s
Foundation and made possible through citizen support of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
CultureHaus BASH: A Night in Havana
August 15, 6–9 p.m.
A warm tropical breeze is making its way from the beaches in Cuba to the DAM for the annual CultureHaus
BASH. Guests are invited to experience the sounds, sights and flavors of a hot Havana night. Sample tropical
drinks provided by Montanya Rum and Mile High Spirits while swaying to rhythmic Latin sounds playing in the
background. Following BASH, the fun moves on to La Rumba for a Cuban-inspired after party. So grab your
tickets, strap on your salsa shoes and let CultureHaus whisk you away for a night in paradise. Tickets are $30
for CultureHaus members; $45 for non-members. Visit the museum website or call 720-913-0130 for tickets.
Family Fun in August
Free First Saturday
August 3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
On the first Saturday of every month, enjoy the museum’s art collections and non-ticketed exhibitions without
spending a dime! Free general admission tickets are available on-site starting at 10 a.m. Free First Saturdays are
sponsored by Target and made possible by the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
Totspot Sunday
August 11, 10 a.m.–noon
Families with little ones are invited to join us for Totspot Sunday on the second Sunday of every month. Watch
Buntport Theater perform in the galleries, then check out all of the other museum activities available for families.
Included with general admission; children 5 and younger are always free. Reservations are not required. For
more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 720-913-0130.
Create Playdate: Spin
August 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Drop in on the second Wednesday of August with your 3- to 5-year-olds.
Mix and spin colors together to see what happens. Hear a story in the
gallery and have fun with other tots and their grown-ups. Create Playdates
are included with general admission; children 5 and younger are always
free. Reservations are not required. For more information, e-mail
[email protected] or call 720-913-0130.
CelebrARTE: Fiesta
August 18, 1–4 pm
¡Bienvenidos a CelebrARTE! Bring toda la familia and drop in to DAM’s monthly bilingual program. It’s summer
and it’s time for a Fiesta. Make festive decorations with a master artist, and get ready to party with our
CelebrARTE comunidad. All CelebrARTE activities are included with general admission; children 5 and younger
are always free. Reservations are not required. For more information, e-mail Madalena Salazar at
[email protected] or call 720-913-0054.
Summer Schedule Ends August 23 for Family Activity Cart, Create-n-Takes
The DAM’s popular Family Backpacks and Art Tubes will return to their usual weekend schedule after August
23. Family Backpacks and Art Tubes can be checked out free of charge at the Family Activity Cart. Create-nTakes are in-gallery activities available Tuesday–Friday through August 23 and weekends from 10:30 a.m.–4
p.m. beginning August 24. Create-n-Takes inspire visitors to discuss, imagine and get creative. Look for the
signs or ask at the welcome center for locations. Every day the museum is open, visit the Just for Fun Family
Center and Kids Corner or try some of our many in-gallery games.
Follow the museum on Twitter and Facebook. Search for Denver Art Museum.
The Denver Art Museum is located on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock Streets in downtown Denver. Open Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday
and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (until 10 p.m. during Untitled events, January–October); closed Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving and
Christmas. General admission for Colorado residents: $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, $3 for visitors 6–18, free for children 5 and younger.
Admission for non-Colorado residents: $13 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for visitors 6–18, free for children 5 and younger. Special
exhibition ticket required for Nick Cave: Sojourn. The Cultural Complex Garage is open; enter from 12th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock or
check the DAM website for up-to-date parking information. For information in Spanish, call 720-913-0169. For more information, visit
www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.
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