"SIGHTLINE" TAKES PLACE FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 11th - A PUBLIC EVENT OF EPIC PROPORTIONS

What could possibly be more exciting than watching some of the most cutting edge animation, video and motion-based art being created in the world today on one of the largest, most luminous outdoor screens in a downtown setting in the middle of May?  Very little, at least we think the new Plus Gallery/Denver Theatre District curated program "SightLine" is really something special and thoroughly distinct as a new opportunity for the public to gather and enjoy. The program is unique in so many ways, both as a contribution to Create Denver Week's outstanding "Urban Encounters" evening on May 11th, as well as a showcase that has never before been realized in public in a capacity such as this.

It's also not just for refined art enthusiasts, in fact we feel that the presentation will appeal to a wide range of people both young and old....it's for anyone with an adventurous sense for visual stimulation or an appreciation for how innovation and technology is impacting art.  We've put together an outstanding selection of artists with a diverse set of short-from works that can entrance, challenge and in most cases instill amazement.

Approximately twenty artists will be featured this evening beginning at 8pm at the corner of 14th and Champa in downtown Denver. Never before seen, newly commissioned works by Denver's premier new-media artists including Milton Croissant III, Phillip Faulkner, Joel Swanson, Quintin Gonzalez and the duo of Donald Fodness/Alvin Gregorio. US artists set to unveil new and recent works include Jonathan Monaghan, Evan Mann, Kim Pimmel, Eric Dyer, current Creative Capital grantee Karolina Sobecka, and the sensational JK Keller. The rest of the program is comprised of existing works by some of the top international talents in the world including Berliners Reynold Reynolds and Andreas Nicolas Fischer, Oslo Norways Racecar, the UK's Tim Wheatley and Emilio Gomariz, as well as Canadians Sabrina Ratte, Alex McLeod and new media sensation Jeremy Bailey. It's a group that dazzles in any capacity but will truly mesmerize when cast large on the giant LED screen that is at the core of the DTD's unique infrastructure.

Still from Jonathan Monoghan's new "Juggernaut"

Still from Milton Croissant III's new "Interior Megapolis Temple"

The program was curated by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile and Ryan Pattie, with assistance from current gallery intern Philippe Moore.

Ivar Zeile's involvement with the Denver Mayor's Commission on Cultural Affairs began in 2006, and in 2009 led to his appointment as the first creative director for the new Denver Theater District, which supports both static and motion-based visual art components in the public realm. Zeile's past involves intense concentration in film and cinematic presentation including ten years with the Sundance Film Festival. In 1998 the Sundance Institute commissioned Zeile to direct and produce trailers to precede the 1999 selection of films. He has been involved with the Denver Film Society for the last decade as a patron, writer, and festival screener. Through Plus Gallery Zeile has established an ongoing experimental program that includes video, music and performance projects that have included renowned artists from around the country.

Assistant curator Ryan Pattie is a graduate of Metropolitan State College of Denver with a concentration in Digital Art. He was president of the student group NERDA, curating and promoting digital art and new media shows in the Denver area. In the last year he has interned at Plus Gallery, and is now working as a co-curator for the Denver Theatre District, building upon a year of creating exhibitions showcasing the work of local and international video and motion based artists.

Gallery intern Philippe Moore is a graduate student at the University of Denver, where he is pursuing an MFA in Emergent Digital Practices. His degrees include a BA in Studio Arts from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois and an MS in Arts Technology from Illinois State University. Along with assisting at Plus Gallery, Philippe is currently developing programs that merge arts and technology for students entering the workforce through Arts Street.

Ivar Zeile and Ryan Pattie spoke extensively on the untitledartshow.com last night to discuss the project. Hear what they had to say about this singular event before next friday by tuning in at:

http://www.untitledartshow.com

You can also view our most recent trailer for the program, featuring brief snippets from some of the works at

http://vimeo.com/41293039

This project would not have been possible without the generous support from Create Denver Week and the Denver Theatre District.  The goal of the DTD through SightLine is to to enhance the urban core of the city through a dynamic, constant visual art presence with regular programming of creative motion-based content on the LED screens.

SightLine is just one of the focal programs occurring May 11th for Create Denver Week's "Urban Encounters."  The entire evening is a rare happening in our community that promotes a forward thinking, fun and ultra-creative agenda that is unlike any other in the country. Other programs taking place that evening only on and off the LED screen are:

6-8pm SideShop: Beta @ 1600 Glenarm, Suite 110
Shop 24/7 via QR code, the SideShops are stocked with 100% locally designed goods and provides local creative businesses a platform to launch product and ideas without a large initial investment or risk. Product launches by The Clyfford Still Museum, AWKWRD, Winston Lane, Revolution Apparel, GoodApples and Create Denver.

6-8pm ThePassage @ 1600 Glenarm, Suite 110
Legwork Studio will transform the interior retail space of the SideShops into an interactive environment through a combination of projection, animation and Microsoft Kinect. Viewers can interact with the projection to change the space's visual architecture.

7-8pm KacheOut@ 14th & Champa LED
Mode Set will transform the LED screen into an interactive gaming platform. The 2-player video game, based on the classic Breakout (1976, Atari) and Arkanoid (1986, Taito), utilizes a Microsoft Kinect infrared controller for hands-free motion interaction, featuring audio-reactive 3D graphics. Game on.

8-9pm SightLine @ 14th Champa LED

Plus Gallery and the Denver Theatre District present a luminous display of contemporary short-form video works from international pioneers of motion-based art on the LED screen, with five works by local artists commissioned specifically for the evening. The program sustains visual flow that is scopic and captivating to the senses.

8-10pm InStereo @ 16th & Champa LED

Magic Cyclops and Karla Rodriguez host flash karaoke on the 16th Street Mall's big screen. The LED will buzz with audio reactive visuals created by local VJ CacheFlow while the community fills the air with your favorite, or not-so-favorite, songs.


To find out more about the entire Create Denver Week programming, which includes seminars and opportunities of all kinds for three days straight, visit

http://www.denvergov.org/doca/DenverOfficeofCulturalAffairs/CreateDenver/CreateDenverWeek2012/tabid/440447/Default.aspx

The Denver Theatre District and Plus Gallery will host a VIP reception on the 9th floor of the Spire across the street from the 14th and Champa LED screen that night starting at 7pm.  You must rsvp to attend, but the reception will include an introduction to the program, drinks, food and an ideal viewing position for the LED screen and/or quick access to the street that night.  Contact ivar@plusgallery.com to RSVP or click

RSVP Now!