The Denver Art Museum’s permanent collection of architecture,
design and graphics is nationally recognized for its depth and
breadth.
“What is Modern?” and a companion exhibit, “Olivetti: Innovation
and Identity” opened Oct. 30 at the Denver Art Museum (2nd Level of
the North Building). The show, which looks at varied ways creative
people have viewed the modern experience: why an item was made as
well as how it was made. The works from several generations
illustrate the past, present and future of what is modern.
It includes Samuel Gragg’s advanced “elastic” side chair from
1808, Saul Bass’ strong poster for “The Man with the Golden Arm”
(1955), works by Christopher Dresser, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe,
Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Bass, Jason Munn and
Konstantin Grcic.
Featured are imaginative furniture, tableware, industrial and
graphic designs, created to seek form: structural and functional
clarity, as the designers explored new materials, enhanced
technologies, digital literacy, yet made distinctly personal
statements.
The accompanying Olivetti exhibit tells the story of Italy’s
rise after World War II as the focus of modern design, with
advanced technologies, new materials and emerging designers, all
resulting in products that stood out around the world. Olivetti’s
office machines and products and the graphics that advertised them
gave the firm a strong identity.
If you go:
The Denver Art Museum is on 13th Avenue between Broadway and
Bannock. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 10
a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. These exhibits are
included in general admission. See www.denverartmuseum.org for
prices and information. First Saturdays are free. 720-865-5000.
