Saturday, June 30, 2012

"KITH AND KIN" EXHIBITION REVIEW IN THIS WEEK'S WESTWORD


Pick up this week's Westword to read Michael Paglia's brief review of Jenny Morgan's exhibition "Kith and Kin" in the art beat section. 

http://www.westword.com/2012-06-21/culture/kith-and-kin-jenny-morgan-plus-gallery/


Jenny Morgan - Mother and Child

SIGHTLINE SPECTATOR DOCUMENTATION NOW POSTED ON VIMEO!


On the evening of May 11th, 2012 the Denver Theatre District in conjunction with Create Denver Week hosted "Urban Encounters," a program that brought several forward thinking creative concepts and spectacles to the streets of Denver, including "SightLine," an hour and twenty minute program of premier motion-based art by Local, National and International artists projected on downtown Denver's largest LED screen. The program, curated by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile and associate Ryan Pattie,  started with a reception at the Spire across the street from the LED screen....many chose to stay on Spire's 9th floor deck to watch the program because of the dramatic weather that night, but the best view was from the street.


Ryan and Ivar compiled footage taken that evening by spectators of the program to create a brief document of the project:


https://vimeo.com/44178071


The full program of works will be available soon on Vimeo as well as a new website for our curatorial endeavors involving the LED Screen that is currently being developed. Thanks to all of the spectators and participants that submitted footage for this document and who supported this singular project. Special thanks to the DTD and Create Denver Week for their support of our curatorial effort. And our biggest thanks go out to the artists who created work for the event or generously let us use their existing selections.......for those who could not be there to view it in person, it was simply awe inspiring!  Stay tuned for future screenings and additional projects involving the DTD's LED screen and our unique curatorial direction.

STRIKING NEW ALLIE POHL NECKLACES HAVE ARRIVED AT PLUS!


Allie Pohl's Ideal Woman necklaces have been a popular item at Plus Gallery ever since her knockout exhibition "Mirror Mirror" last summer, and continue to fly out the door as soon as we receive a fresh supply.  This week we received select new inventory from Pohl, including some absolutely striking new designs such as the "Rose Gold Ideal Woman with Crystal" and the first ever "Metal Evolution of Bikini Line!"  In addition, there are a few new Edie Sedgwick's to choose from including our new favorite in multiple wood.   These are going to go quick, stop in to see the newest selections while they last!




Find out more about Allie's recent "Defaced" project at


http://www.paddle8.com/blog/2012/06/14/scroll-contributor-art-cart-nyc-founder-hannah-flegelman/#more-6869

http://defacedproject.artistswanted.org/atts2012

AUSTIN PARKHILL'S "HANNAH" ON VIEW IN ARVADA....AND IN TIMES SQUARE!


We visited the Arvada Center earlier this week for our first view of "Faces, Place and Spaces," our hats go off to Colin Parson and the team at the AC for crafting a terrific exhibition that seems to truly celebrate the artistic talent that lies within the boundaries of our state.  It's fair to say that the exhibition would be successful and engaging wherever it was hosted, but we thought it was particularly keen to view Austin Parkhill's paintings at the AC one moment, and then find his very same "Hannah" being projected in NYC as part of an art exhibition in Times Square.  Parkhill seems to be drawing some very positive attention lately for his realist paintings, expect to see his work in this upcoming winter's issue of New American Paintings for their Western Region competition, coinciding with his first solo exhibition here at Plus this December.


GERHARD RICHTER: PAINTING OPENS JUNE 29TH AT DENVER FILM CENTER. A MUST SEE!


The Denver Film Center brings major cause for celebration to it's screens starting June 29th, at least for those seeking a sublime cinematic moment related to contemporary art.  "Gerhard Richter - Painting" is a new documentary that supremely delivers on its title, and then some. Richter is generally thought to be the most celebrated painter alive, rightfully so, his output spanning well over 40 years with complete mastery of the realist genres as well as abstraction.  While prolific in contextualizing his thoughts on art, painting and life on paper over the last few decades, Richter is known to be largely camera-shy or at least rarely interested in being in front of a camera even though ever bit of his persona and career practically scream for it.  Which is one of the most enticing factors when faced with the possibility of this new film, it delivers an astoundingly rare premise that, content be damned, would have most fans lining up in the streets to see it. But one would be absurd to think that Richter would present himself on film in any way but with supreme aplomb, and indeed the proceedings are rare and exquisite as one could ask for.


What is documented is Richter preparing several new large-scale paintings, as well as an entire new solo exhibition of his works for his primary NY dealer Marian Goodman.  The scope of the exhibition that Richter is preparing is beyond what most gallerists can fathom, it certainly set my head spinning at the amount of space that one might entertain at the highest levels.  But even more fascinating is Richter's approach to the final presentation, particularly the threat that he might just alter the paintings once they have been installed in the space.  This might seem preposterous to the average viewer, and indeed it is on so many levels, but it really solidifies the value and importance one might consider in regards to the very idea of an "exhibition," it's moment in time and particularly career. Richter can presumably do whatever he wants to at this point, there is really no need or even cause for scrutiny from anyone but himself, and the documentary seems to support that on many different levels as the actual premise.  Anyone who has "read" Richter knows that he has a strange and honest relationship to the very idea of painting, one that he continually seems to push further and further in his career.


In leading up to the installation of works, we get to watch Richter in action while he considers and creates two of his large-scale abstracts.  And if there was ever an appropriate word for abstract painting in this case, action is it, though there is a lot to consider in what leads up to the actions we get to see, most of which occur with a custom squeegee applicator that in some cases spans the entire length of the canvas.  There doesn't necessarily seem to be anything magical about Richter pulling this applicator loaded with paint across the canvas other than the very fact that he has "come to this," though it is an exquisite sight to behold, particularly in relation to Gerhard's unease in being observed.  It's most compelling when considering the path in which he moves forward, wondering just what his intentions might be when we know that the result is likely to be a complete negation of color, substance or form of any kind.  So why would this be thrilling to watch?  Better to answer that question yourselves, those with a passing interest in art or Richter himself might have trouble reconciling many aspects of this documentary.  But those who embrace the relevance, value and spiritual nature of artistic creation should reach some pretty ecstatic levels here.  We sure did and will surely go back for more next week!





JENNY MORGAN - KITH AND KIN NOW ON VIEW AT PLUS GALLERY


Plus Gallery is currently featuring the outstanding new body of work "Kith and Kin" by artist Jenny Morgan.  The eight paintings that create the exhibition collectively represent people with strong connections to Morgan"s roots, particularly members of the "Rapp" family, a household that Jenny spent much of her childhood in and considered a second home.  The works bear an emotional resonance that might be personal to the artist but generate their own powerful aura and meaning to the viewer.  It"s a transformative experience and one of the most thoughtful exhibitions of the year.  "Kith and Kin" will be on view through July 14th.


The gallery celebrated the opening of the exhibition with a rousing reception on June 1st, we"ve posted some pictures of Jenny and fans of her work from the opening on our scrapbook page at


http://plusgallery.com/scrapbook/61/



ARTS AND VENUES DENVER CELEBRATES NEW PUBLIC ART ACQUISITIONS FOR JUSTICE CENTER TONIGHT, JUNE 13TH PLUS GALLERY ARTIST FRANK T. MARTINEZ AMONGST ARTISTS INCLUDED


Arts & Venues Denver will celebrate the artists with works that have been recently acquired for the City of Denver's permanent collection, soon to be installed at the Lindsay-Flanigan Courthouse.  The event is tonight, Wednesday June 13th and takes place at the Studio Loft at the corner of 14th and Champa in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House building from 5-7pm.  Plus Gallery is pleased to announce that two of Frank T. Martinez' recent works from the exhibition "Out/Line" have been acquired for the Courthouse.  They will be on view tonight along with works by local artists Katy Charles, Jean Gumpper, Jill Hadley Hooper, Charlene Harlow, Mark Lunning, Kate McGuinness and Edie Winograde.


Please join us tonight if you are available.


FIVE PLUS GALLERY ARTISTS NOW ON VIEW AT ARVADA CENTER FOR "FACES, PLACES, and SPACES" EXHIBITION


The exhibition"Faces, Places and Space" kicked off at the Arvada Center last Thursday, with works on view by Plus Gallery artists Bill Amundson, Wes Magyar, Jenny Morgan, Austin Parkhill and Xi Zhang, amongst other well known Colorado artists.  The exhibition is one of the "must-sees" this summer along with Morgan"s solo exhibition at Plus, make sure to put it on your list of visits in the coming month.


The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. For more information visit

http://arvadacenter.org/galleries/summer-gallery-exhibition-2012-faces-places-and-spaces

ALLIE POHL INFILTRATES NEW YORK WITH HER "DEFACED" PROJECT

PLUS GALLERY PRESENTS: JENNY MORGAN - KITH AND KIN OPENING RECEPTION THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 1st FROM 6-9pm


"Having been interested in painting the figure for most of my artistic life, I hope to create an emotional response in each piece.  Inventing new ways of looking at our oldest and most classic subject matter is always a goal, but most of all making paintings that visually examine the complexity of human relationships." -  Jenny Morgan, 2002


Jenny Morgan's career objective has held fast and true since finishing her studies at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in 2003, inspiring numerous fans and collectors along the way. Plus Gallery is extremely proud to present the artist's latest solo exhibition "Kith and Kin," a collection of eight new paintings fearless in their execution and carrying a potent emotional charge. That Morgan continues her long-term relationship with the gallery is notable for an artist now ingrained in the New York scene, but it is certainly not without cause. Jenny's thoughtful sense of purpose has deep roots and it's own strong emotional connection to the Denver market that first embraced her.  "Kith and Kin" delves even more deeply into the artist's past, pursuing a personal agenda that is now the artist's trademark and a veritable revolution in contemporary portraiture today.


"Kith and Kin" was built on the foundation of collecting a group of people who are from my roots. The subjects in these portraits are individuals who grew up in my home of the Salt Lake Valley, Utah. In particular I focused on members of the Rapp family - a house hold where I spent much of my childhood and consider a second home. Two additional portraits are friends I connected with in New York and later learned we had been raised only miles away from one another. I was thinking of that bond we all share - experiencing the same landscape and culture, yet developing immensely different lives. We connect in a way that others who enter our lives from a different background may never full relate to or understand." - Jenny Morgan, 2012


The paintings in the exhibition explode with vibrancy, Morgan having greatly broadened her usage of color since her last solo exhibition at Plus Gallery in 2009.  She continues to work with bold techniques that purposefully "mess-up" the realist compositions she painstakingly creates, serving to explore altered states of realism that ultimately speak greatly towards the human condition. There is no denying that Morgan's work carries a signature style, one that fully grips the viewer.....and in the case of the Denver audience, has left us enthralled and engaged for almost a decade. The exhibition is a gem and one of the most notable of the year for the gallery and for the Denver community as well. The exhibition comes on month prior to the artist's 30th birthday, and one week before opening half the works are already sold, the first time for that status in the gallery history.


In conjunction with the exhibition, Plus Gallery will release the new book We are all setting suns, our second hard-cover publication to capture the artist's output in it's entirety, this edition covering from 2010 through the present. The book features new essays by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile, arts writer Nancy Hightower and major art collector Wayne F. Yakes, as well as the complete interviews with Morgan from her 2011 video profile Jenny Morgan - Self Portrait, and for the first time select photographs taken by Morgan as source material for her paintings. The book is a testament to the uncommon excellence and picture-perfect career that Morgan has maintained to date, serving as a gift and companion for fans of her work.  The gallery will have limited copies available for $100 at the opening on a first-come basis, all printed on high-quality paper through Blurb.com


Join Plus Gallery in welcoming Jenny Morgan at the opening reception for "Kith and Kin" on Friday, June 1st  from 6-9pm.


Read a new, extensive interview with Jenny Morgan from Westword:

http://blogs.westword.com/showandtell/2012/05/jenny_morgan_talks_about_paint.php



And another brief interview in "Wonderland" magazine:

http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2012/05/jenny-morgan-kith-and-kin/

CHECK OUT ALLIE POHL'S "DEFACED" PROJECT AT BUSHWICK OPEN STUDIOS NY THIS WEEKEND


Another emerging female artist who is all the rage on the national scene right now is Plus Gallery's very own Allie Pohl, who launches her Art Cart NYC project this Friday June 1st and through the weekend as part of the Bushwick Open Studios. For the Truck Yeah! event, part of Bushwick Open Studios from June 1-3, 2012, Art Cart NYC and Allie Pohl will present the artist's recent "Defaced" project as a mobile art exhibition, displaying all the comments pulled from the sites on LED screens on the exterior of Art Cart's truck. Visitors to the weekend-long event can enter more comments through their smartphones or through an on-site computer, and watch as those comments form a greater conversation around the many facets of the social media experience.

Social networking websites give us the ability to construct our ideal selves - who we want to be and how we want to be perceived. We have become our own virtual-celebrity publicists by controlling and monitoring what is posted about us, ensuring that only our best selves are represented. This ability to design our digital lives with an ideal in mind has created a new breed of social anxiety, and as a result, we spend hours on our computers and phones curating our online personas while comparing them to those of our "friends" or "followers." - Allie Pohl


Defaced invites users to participate anonymously in a discussion about how they really think and feel while using social media. The project will reveal the socially unacceptable comments individuals restrain from writing. By considering questions such as, "what makes something facebook-worthy?" Defaced sheds light on the "how and why," the sentiments behind the social media user experience. In a digital age in which the lines between the physical and online worlds are blurred, one's perspective can be hard to maintain. Defaced will explore this rapidly changing landscape.


To participate or find out more, visit


http://www.defacedproject.com/

"FACES, PLACES AND SPACES" OPENS AT ARVADA CENTER NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 7TH


Arvada CO - The nationally recognized Arvada Center will open its latest art gallery exhibition, FACES, PLACES & SPACES sponsored by Exempla Lutheran Medical Center with a public reception on Thursday, June 7 from 6-9 p.m. FACES, in the main gallery, goes beyond the traditional portrait show focusing only on the face, the quintessential expression of humanity. Through painting, photography and sculpture, PLACES, in the upper gallery, will highlight the juxtaposition of the interior, intimate and exterior, urban spaces created by humans. SPACES, in the theater gallery and in collaboration with Michele Mosko will feature large encaustic work by Earl Schofield and ethereal paintings by Lanny DeVuono, two artists who tackle open spaces. The Faces portion of the exhibition occurs in the Main Gallery at the Arvada Center, and includes works by five Plus Gallery artists including Bill Amundson, Wes Magyar, Jenny Morgan, Austin Parkhill and Xi Zhang, along with a number of other artists from the region.






 Bill Amundson: "Got to get it out of my head," 2011





Jenny Morgan: "Jil in 1994," commissioned by New York Magazine, 2011



New this summer is the introduction of "Smart Art", exciting, interactive technology that will allow patrons to use their personal smart phones to connect with the artists in dynamic and interesting ways. Enhancing the existing "Guide by Cell" audio tour, the galleries will initiate "Augmented Reality" technology on select pieces representing every artist in the show. Visitors will have the option to download "Layar", a free app, allowing them to use their smartphone to fill their screens with additional information about the art and artist, links to video, and other features. Using iPads provided for onsite use by the Arvada Center, a fun, new interactive photo app will give visitors the opportunity to create their own art to share in a digital space. This new technology will further enhance the gallery experience for long time art aficionados and novices alike.


The Arvada Center galleries are free and open to the public Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The galleries are also open until 7:30 p.m. on evenings with theater presentations and outdoor concerts. Free docent-led tours of the Arvada Center's gallery exhibitions and history museum are available to groups. To schedule a tour, call the Arvada Center's gallery/museum tour line at 720-898-7240.


There will be two free panel discussions moderated by Erik Isaac and Michael Keen from the Untitled Art Show, one on Thursday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. with Adam Milner (Faces), Sarah McKenzie (Places), Lanny DeVuono (Spaces), Xi Zhang (Faces), Danyl Cook (Faces), and Chandler Romeo (Places). The other will take place on Saturday, August 4 at 1:30 p.m. with Sharon Brown (Faces), Barbara Shark (Faces), Lisa Calzavara (Places), Sharon Feder (Places), Rick Dula (Places), and Dave Seiler (Faces). Please RSVP at 720-898-7242 or Kbueb@arvadacenter.org The Untitled Art Show is a weekly, internet, talk-radio show about art and the art world hosted by Erik Isaac and Mike Keen. To view recent interviews go to www.untitledartshow.com


Since its opening in July 1976, the award winning Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities has grown to become one of the nation's largest multidisciplinary arts centers, devoted to all aspects of the arts and generously supported in part by the City of Arvada and by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). The Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. and provides free parking for all its patrons. For more information go to www.arvadacenter.org or call 720-898-7200.

http://arvadacenter.org/galleries/summer-gallery-exhibition-2012-faces-places-and-spaces

FINAL WEEK FOR WILLIAM BETTS "REMOTE SENSING" AT PLUS GALLERY


This is the final week to view the Plus Gallery exhibition "Remote Sensing" featuring new paintings by Houston artist William Betts.  The exhibition coincides with major moments in the artist's career, inlcuding being awarded the prestigious Annual Prize by New American Paintings earlier in the year, followed by his inclusion in the group show "Tracing the Grid,"  currently on view at the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart.  These remarkable achievements paid off for Betts three weeks ago, where Artdaily.org noted that his Albuquerque gallery representative Richard Levy sold out all of Williams paintings at the Pulse NY art fair, a strong indication that the international collector market is acknowedging his work and career at the highest level.

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=55331

"Remote Sensing" features a remarkable display of Betts' surveillance themed paintings, there is simply nothing else like them in the world.



PLUS GALLERY ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NEW JENNY MORGAN BOOK: WE ARE ALL SETTING SUNS AVAILABLE NOW!


June 1st, 2012 marks the return of revered artist Jenny Morgan back to Denver for her first solo exhibition since 2009's "This too shall pass."  Eight new paintings will be displayed in "Kith and Kin," all fearless in their execution and carrying a potent emotional charge, including two new self portraits by the artist. In conjunction with the exhibition, Plus Gallery will release the new book "We are all setting suns," our second hard-cover publication to capture the artist's output in it's entirety, this edition covering from 2010 through the present. The book features new essays by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile, esteemed writer Nancy Hightower as well as major art collector Wayne F. Yakes. Welcome additions in the new volume also include the complete interviews with Morgan from her 2011 video profile "Jenny Morgan - Self Portrait," and for the first time select photographs taken by Morgan as source material for her paintings. The book is a testament to the uncommon excellence and picture-perfect career that Morgan has maintained to date, serving as a gift and companion for fans of her work.  Reserve a copy today for Jenny to sign while she is in town for the opening.  Pre-orders are $100, with the price set at $120 after the opening of the exhibition.


To preview the book, visit

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/3215887




To preview the remaining available paintings from the upcoming exhibition, contact

ivar@plusgallery.com

BILL AMUNDSON: AN ARTIST AHEAD OF HIS TIME


The news regarding Chase Banks two Billion dollar + loss last week had one upside:  fond remembrance of last year's unbelievably amazing solo exhibition "Blurred Vision" featuring all new works by Bill Amundson.  Bill's not exactly shy when it comes to his views on life, and one might also say he shows a certain level of foresight in his works from time to time.  Such was the case with "Stump with the Head of Jamie Dimon (American Dickhead IV)."




We are patiently awaiting the completion of Amundson's latest masterpiece "The Job Creators"


Bill will have three of his most recent self portraits on view in the upcoming Arvada Center exhibition "Faces, Places and Spaces," opening June 7th (along with select works from Plus Gallery artists Wes Magyar, Jenny Morgan, Austin Parkhill and Xi Zhang).  Bill is also on the slate for the fall Logan Lecture series at the Denver Art Museum, which we can only assume will be the most rousing talk in the history of that program, and not to be missed.  Become a DAM Contemporary member now to be the first to get tickets and the skinny on the rest of the lecture series.


XI ZHANG REVIEW FOR "11 CEREMONIES" PUBLISHED IN NEWEST EDITION OF ART LTD.


Pick up the new copy of Art Ltd., the West Coast's finest publication covering contemporary art.  Inside you'll find Michael Paglia's recent review for Xi Zhang's Plus Gallery exhibition "11 Ceremonies" as well as a beautiful ad for our upcoming solo exhibition "Kith and Kin" featuring all new paintings by Jenny Morgan. Plus Gallery has a limited number of copies available onsite, and going fast.



CREATE DENVER WEEK IS NOW UPON US! SIGHTLINE AND MUCH MORE TAKE PLACE NOW THROUGH THE WEEKEND


Plus Gallery is extremely excited to host one of the focal events for tomorrow evening's Create Denver Week program "Urban Encounters."  Starting at 6pm on May 11th, a terrific schedule of forward thinking creative activities and happenings will be going on in downtown Denver, including the Plus Gallery curated "SightLine," an hour-plus program of cutting edge motion-based art and animations from artists around the city and the world.  A preview of the program is available online at

http://vimeo.com/41293039

We have attached pdf's that have the full slate of activities for Create Denver Week, which kicks off tonight with a major celebration at Battery 621, located at 6th & Kalamath from 6-10pm.  This city sponsored program is one of the best events all year, and we personally guarantee an eye-opening experience with SightLine starting at 8pm tomorrow evening at the corner of 14th and Champa, come rain or shine!  Over 450 people have rsvp'd for this event, which is extraordinary.



Baltimore sensation JK Keller puts a serious spin to the beloved Simpsons in his SightLine short "Realligning my thoughts on Jasper Johns"

Read what our friends in Telluride have to say about Plus Gallery and tomorrow night's "SightLine" program on the blog Telluride Inside and Out:

http://www.tellurideinside.com/2012/05/tio-denver-safe-betts-sightline.html

MATT O'NEILL DRAWINGS ON VIEW AT GREAT DIVIDE BREWERY...PRECURSOR TO PLUS GALLERY SUMMER SHOW


Where are you going to find one of the best exhibitions of drawings in town?  At Great Divide's most popular watering hole, the Tap Room at 2201 Arapahoe St. just a couple of blocks from Plus Gallery. Denver artist Matt O'Neill began a series of sketchbook drawings in ballpoint pen during time spent in South America in 2011. The resulting "South America" series is a wellspring of artistic flair and spontaneity, engaging in a broad range of symbolism that capitalizes on O'Neill's fluid artistic language. When asked to contribute the works to this exhibition at Great Divide, O'Neill crafted several directly in response to the unique "brewery" environment in a way that honors the complexity and joy found within.


Matt O'Neill has been a prominent part of Denver's contemporary art scene for over 20 years, with works in the permanent collection of the Denver Art Museum and an exhibition record that includes the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, the Aspen Art Museum, the Singer Gallery at the Mizel Center for Arts and Culture, Rule and T-Judish Arts and most recently the group exhibition "Invincible Cohort" in 2010 at Plus Gallery.  O'Neill's sketches will also be featured in the upcoming Plus Gallery summer exhibition "Merge" along with works by Denver artist Erik Shumake and New Zealand artist Shannon Novak.


NEW INTERVIEW WITH ALLIE POHL FOR HER "DEFACED" PROJECT


Plus Gallery artist Allie Pohl is once again striking fresh ground with her art and ideas.  Her "Defaced" project allows anyone to anyonymously post their thoughts on social media online, the results of which will be part of the upcoming Art Cart NYC.  A fresh interview with Allie about the project and her work can be found online at

http://artcartnyc.tumblr.com/post/22584993702/if-a-person-quits-social-media-does-she-still-exist


Visit her Defaced website to post your thoughts....and follow the results on facebook too, it's simply fascinating.

http://www.defacedproject.com

NANCY HIGHTOWER'S WRITING FOR PLUS GALLERY EXHIBITION "APOCALYPSE? HOW!" PUBLISHED IN DANSE MACABRE


Plus Gallery patrons and followers of our enews were the first to read Nancy Hightower's creative contribution to our January exhibition "Apocalypse? HOW!."  Now the rest of the world can too, via Danse Macabre, an online literary journal.  Check it out at:

http://www.dansemacabreonline.com//#!__dm-57-transom-notes