Friday, May 30, 2014



Plus Gallery is thrilled to unveil all new paintings tonight by artist Xi Zhang for his latest solo exhibition BONE.  Join us this evening from 7-9pm in welcoming Xi back to Denver and to the gallery proper for a survey that brings together recent developments across six bodies of work that have engaged Zhang's attention over the last several years. The main exhibition space is the focus for four of his ongoing series, including the most recent "Permanence Within," "Permanence Without" and "The Fortune Dealer" as well as his two of his most recent canvases from "Birth of a Million Tear Drops."  The exhibition continues upstairs with additional selections from "Permanence Without" alongside two recent paintings from "Post Convulsions" and a handful of gold-leaf paintings from "Second Hand Memories" which represent Xi's lighter side and unique take on contemporary culture merging with traditional Chinese motifs.


Xi Zhang has launched a remarkable career in Colorado ever since his move to Denver from China in 2004. Highlights to date include:

2008 / Emerging Artist of the Year, Kyle MacMillan, Denver Post
2011 / Pathmaker in the Visual Arts, Kyle MacMillan, Denver Post
2011 / CNN "Ripple" Project in commemoration of 9/11 Ten Year Anniversary, CNN.com
2011 / "Art's New View: The 12 best Colorado artists 35 and under," Kyle MacMillan, Denver Post
2011 / Featured Speaker, Logan Lecture Series, Denver Art Museum
2012 / URRA Artist Residency, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Representative for the Denver Biennial of the Americas
2013 / "21st Century DNA," solo exhibition, hosted by the City of Denver and Plus Gallery at McNichols Civic Center

Hopefully you heard a little about the exhibition today on CPR's arts report, and you can read more about BONE in the latest issue of Westword in the "Night and Day" section, as well as an online preview of images in Westword's Show and Tell blog delivered by Susan Froyd:



NEW PLUS GALLERY WEBSITE READY TO LAUNCH SOON


Recent visitors to plusgallery.com may notice that we have removed our now ancient site, one that has served us well over the years but will soon transition into a much better platform for our artists and program.  We don't have a specific launch date yet, but are expecting it to be very soon, so stay tuned!

DATES TO SAVE FOR UPCOMING PLUS GALLERY RELATED EVENTS


Unbound at the Arvada Center
Opening Reception Thursday June 5th
Featuring Plus Gallery artists Chris Coleman, Milton Croissant III, Alex McLeod and Laleh Mehran
http://arvadacenter.org/


Friday Flash No. 6 - "Download This / Image Anarchism"
Friday, June 13th starting at 7pm at the corner of 14th and Champa Street.
Presented by Denver Digerati and the Denver Theatre District



Brilliant celebration for Goca in Colorado Springs
Saturday June 14th, 7pm - midnight at GOCA 121 downtown CSprings




WHAT'S IN A NAME?


Over the years we've learned a lot about the importance of names, perceptions relating to them and how things can evolve over time in relationship to them.  When we first selected the name "Plus Gallery" we quickly noticed that there was a Japanese version of our namesake, though it doesn't seem to be much of an issue over the years, we still retain the "top" ranking when it comes to online searches and haven't noticed too much weirdness via our google alerts.

But nobody has it tougher than artists.  Notable Denver artist John McEnroe, whose career we supported for many years previously on his path upward, is probably the most extreme example.  We were constantly plagued by random inquiries into his artwork, or requests for autographs, by people assuming it was the tennis player/art dealer/collector who still maintains a huge profile in the tennis world.  Though it doesn't effect our cycle of communications, our current featured artists Xi Zhang comes up quite often in the volleyball circuit, apparently a Xi Zhang is quite the brilliant athlete in that sphere, and there is also a phenomenal young Chinese illustrator that goes by the same name as well.  Even our leading artists Jenny Morgan has multiple levels of crossover in the world, with several artists having the same name (though nowhere near the notoriety) and there's even a newly released "Jenny Morgan Bitter" which clocks in at 3.5% abv and probably quite enticing to a few drinkers in the UK.

Most recently we've noticed the more diabolical side of name clashes, as Plus Gallery's own Frank T. Martinez has had several recent inquiries as to whether he has switched galleries in Denver.  We've long known that he always uses the T. in his name because of the popularity of that combination amongst the Hispanic population in the world.  But with Space Gallery having recently moved into a new space, it seems their previous space is now occupied and run by a Frank Martinez who also happens to be a painter. It seems that our Frank T. is still ranking the highest on google searches, and we're pretty sure his artwork and reputation command the most respect, but it definitely made us want to reflect on what goes on with names and how important that can be for an artist or anyone's perception of their career.


Friday, May 23, 2014


JOIN PLUS GALLERY FOR "TRADE SECRETS" THIS SATURDAY EVE 7:30-9:30pm EXHIBITION CLOSING EVENT FOR KRISTIN STRANSKY'S "COMMON / MYTH"

Our last two exhibitions have been delightful departures from the norm, both featuring new media works by artists involved in the University of Denver's Emergent Digital Practices department.  Chris Coleman, Laleh Mehran, and our current featured artist Kristin Stransky have certainly dazzled us and our audience with works that are at the forefront of new technologies and unique concepts that not only define art today, but venture into new territory that will define tomorrow.

In celebration of their efforts and influence with students studying in their department at DU, Plus Gallery will host a closing night event for Kristin Stransky's exhibition "common / myth" this Saturday evening from 7:30-9:30pm called "Trade Secrets." The evening will be a showcase for motion-based works developed by students studying in the EPD program, presented full screen on the wall in Plus Gallery's main exhibition space.  Come join us for another rare and enjoyable evening with some of Denver's extraordinary talent pool, both old and new.


FINAL WEEK FOR MILTON CROISSANT AT CPAC

This is also the final week to view the Colorado Photographic Art Center's latest exhibition "Constructing Images Post Photography," which concludes an excellent run featuring works by three distinct artists including Plus Gallery's own Milton Croissant III.  We can't wait to see what's next for Milton, an inspiring talent from Denver that we have no doubt is set to explode on the national art scene soon.


JOIN US NEXT THURSDAY FOR THE OPENING OF "BONE" BY XI ZHANG


"The dark nights gave me my dark eyes; I, however, use them to look for light." - Gu Cheng (Chinese Modernist Poet, 1956 - 1993)

Plus Gallery announces the return of the fascinating and beloved artist Xi Zhang for BONE, his second official solo exhibition at the gallery. BONE connects six of Xi Zhang's ongoing bodies of work, ones that reflect on hyperrealism, nihilism and existentialism, the undertones for his current practice. Born in 1984 in Kaifeng, China, Xi Zhang has become one of the most celebrated artists to emerge in Colorado, where he began sharing his paintings in 2004. This exhibition is his first solo effort since last year's elaborate undertaking "21st Century DNA,?" presented by the City of Denver in conjunction with Plus Gallery at the McNichols Civic Center Building, following his selection by the Denver Biennial of the Americas to represent the United States at the URRA artist residency program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. All of Xi Zhang's exhibitions in Colorado have been riveting affairs since he began presenting work, his rare abilities as a painter perfectly matched by the fearlessness in which he tackles the concepts that consume his thoughts.

Come join us on Thursday evening, May 29th from 7-9pm for his latest - BONE

READ ALL ABOUT DENVER DIGERATI'S UPCOMING JUNE 13th FRIDAY FLASH No.6 PROGRAM: DOWNLOAD THIS / IMAGE ANARCHISM - HOSTED BY THE DENVER THEATRE DISTRICT

That's right, visual anarchy right on the streets of the downtown Denver Theatre District, the best way to describe what we have in store on Friday, June 13th starting at 7pm at the corner of 14th and Champa Street. "Friday Flash No. 6 - Download This / Image Anarchism" takes place on Friday, June 13th at 7pm at the corner of 14th and Champa Street, presenting approximately 20 artworks curated through a distinct process involving online browsing and direct "downloading" of files for consideration within the program. Hours of artworks have been amassed in this manner during the first four months of 2014, followed by a distillation process that pulls the best and most suitable for the public context together for a 45 minute evening program. The result is an exciting mixture that clearly finds Denver Digerati's vision shaping more broadly, and formally, based on what was set in motion with our efforts of the previous three years to bring public art into the future.


 The concept for the program began as an offshoot from regular curatorial channels used for previous efforts, while heavily scrutinizing texts that relate to "visual literacy" as well as the field of art "after the internet." The 21st century artist, particularly ones engaged in digital practices or "internet-based" realms, operate in a different context with a constantly evolving set of protocols. According to Brad Troemel in his recent essay Art after Social Media,* "For the image neoliberal, art is a universal cultural product that should be free to travel wherever the market or museums take it; meaning is created through a work's ability to reach the widest audience and not through any particular location at which it's viewed." Troemel goes on further to recognize a new mode of association called image anarchism in which ".....the image anarchist reflects a generational indifference toward intellectual property, regarding it as a bureaucratically regulated construct. This indifference stems from file sharing and extends to de-authored, decontextualized Tumblr posts. Image anarchism is the path that leads art to exist outside the traditional context of art."

While it may not sound entirely appropriate on the surface, adherents to image anarchism, whether they are cognizant of the implications or not, are participants in networks that are evolving in radically different ways with the ability to reach across the globe. Online sharing for motion-based artists, through sites such as Vimeo, is developing into a unique, organically grown system with a density and distribution pattern much like that of trees, with each branch leading to new discoveries or circling back to nodes, trunk and roots. Artists generally share their work for online viewing as a way to market themselves, logging a combination of hits, likes, shares, follows, laters and even online "tipping." Most artists participate both in sharing as well as "liking" through their own visual enjoyment of the platform or ongoing awareness efforts. Behind the mystique of such a system lies an unmistakably profound, universal tool in which discovery is the order of the day, leading to increased networks and future opportunities. For Denver Digerati it's proven a way to discover and procure works by some of the most visually astute, wildly creative, universally celebrated (as well as completely unknown) talents from around the globe.

"Download This / Image Anarchism" is likely the first time a program curated in such a manner has ever been presented in public anywhere in the world. In keeping with the unique protocol, one has to show up in order to discover what artists and which of their individual works will be shown. The full program will be posted onto our site following the public screening.

Please join Denver Digerati curators Ivar Zeile and Ryan Pattie, as well as the Denver Theatre District, on the streets on Friday June 13th @ 7pm for visual anarchy!


Our June 13th Friday Flash promotional trailer was designed by Denver Digerati associate curator Ryan Pattie, with music provided by Thug Entrancer, one of Denver's premier sound artists with excellent overlap into the digital visual sphere:

https://vimeo.com/

And read more about the program on Westword's recent show and tell blog:

http://blogs.westword.com/

Denver Digerati is a special platform in development by the Denver Theatre District intended to nurture and bring leading advances in motion-based artwork to Denver's public through state of the art LED screens located in some of the most exciting locations in Downtown Denver. Visit our website at denverdigeratI.com

The DTD's LED infrastructure is unique to any other city in the country, supporting a mandate to enhance Denver's urban core through a dynamic, constant visual art presence by local innovators and leading artists from around the world.

BE PART OF A BRILLIANT! EVENING IN COLORADO SPRINGS JUNE 14TH GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART (GOCA) TO PRESENT HISTORY OF DENVER DIGERATI FOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

We were thrilled to be asked to support the Gallery of Contemporary Art's upcoming annual Fundraiser "Brilliant" on June 14th,  an art party celebrating the brilliance of creativity. A full-on engagement with Denver Digerati's efforts from the last three years (and into the current) will be in store for patrons and guests that night at GOCA 121, located at 121 Tejon Street in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs.  Brilliant raises critical dollars needed to produce future GOCA exhibits, programs and innovative collaborations, and from what we've heard and experienced over the years, this is not your every-day contemporary art gathering in support of an institution.  We like to think of it as more of the kind of art party you wish such affairs might always be, and Denver Digerati is proud to support with an immersion within screens that will circulate the content from our previous years event-based curatorial programs such as Friday Flash, SightLine and Frame of Mind.  And as a special experiment in conjunction with the upcoming Friday Flash No.6 - Download This, we'll be showcasing works for that program that weren't necessarily appropriate for public consumption, but perfect for open-minded arts enthusiasts (and party revelers).

Please join us that night, we guarantee it will be worth the drive down to Colorado Springs. To find out more or purchase tickets, please visit:

http://www.uccs.edu/goca/TALK/BRILLIANT-2014.html

or contact GOCA at 719.255.3504


UNBOUND OPENS JUNE 5TH AT THE ARVADA CENTER

Featuring Plus Gallery artists Milton Croissant III, Chris Coleman, Laleh Mehran, Alex McLeod and a whole other host of top-level talents from Denver's explosive contemporary art scene.  The Arvada Center has been on fire ever since Collin Parson took over as the curator of their enormous space and program, we highly recommend checking out what they have in store for this summer in "Unbound."


STOP BY THE McNICHOLS CIVIC CENTER BUILDING FOR ONGOING WEEKEND ARTIST RESIDENCY

Create Denver's (RESIDENCY): PROCESS TO CONSUMPTION project is now in full swing, stop by during their Live Studio hours on Saturday's and Sunday's now through July 11th between 10am and 3pm to see local artists doing their thing, including Plus Gallery's own Donald Fodness whose thing is always extremely engaging and fun.

The project provides these Denver-based artists with limited studio time on the third floor of the McNichols Building and 24 "vessels" to create their original works, leading up to a final exhibition to take place July 11 - 27th.

Find out more about the project at:
http://artsandvenuesdenver.com/create-denver/happenings-events/current-and-upcoming-events/residency

Friday, May 16, 2014

RiNO ART SAFARI TOUR THIS SATURDAY PLUS GALLERY TO HOST ALL-DAY 3D PRINT DEMO WITH KRISTIN STRANSKY


This Saturday May 17th is the annual River North Arts District Safari Art tour, with galleries, studios and all sorts of creative spaces in the cities most burgeoning district opening their doors from noon to 5pm for the public to visit. Of course it's just like any other Saturday at Plus Gallery.......except that we'll be featuring an all day 3d print demonstration courtesy of Kristin Stransky, one of the masters in that medium in conjunction with her exceptional gallery debut "common / myth."  Come join us in a reprisal of Kristin's demo from two weekends ago, one of the more distinct, new experiences in recent memory.



DENVER POST REVIEWS CPAC EXHIBITION "CONSTRUCTING IMAGES POST PHOTOGRAPHY"


We were thrilled to see the report on CPAC's current exhibition "Constructing Images Post Photography" in last Sunday's edition of the Denver Post, particularly with Plus Gallery artist Milton Croissant III"s image front and center in the review.  This is a critical exhibition for anyone engaged in contemporary art to experience, we recommend stopping by before the show closes next weekend, May 24th.



TERRIFIC NEW WORKS ON PAPER AVAILABLE FROM LAURA KRUDENER

Plus Gallery artists Laura Krudener held a fabulous studio-warming event last weekend in conjunction with the release of a new series of skillfully crafted, well-priced works on paper.  Over half the works have sold already, and the remaining can now be found at Plus Gallery. We highly recommend stopping by to view these gems from one of Colorado's most exceptional abstract artists.


XI ZHANG x 2 in MAY!


Several of Plus Gallery artist Xi Zhang's recent "selfies" paintings go on view tonight in the DAVA exhibition "TEXT" which includes works by Colorado artists Rick Griffith and Joel Swanson.  DAVE opens the exhibition with a reception tonight from 4-7:30pm at their space at 1405 Florence Street in Aurora.

And Zhang returns to Plus Gallery later this month for his next solo exhibition, the highly anticipated "BONE" which features all new paintings from several of Zhang's ongoing bodies of work.  The exhibition will open with a reception at Plus on Thursday, May 29th from 7-9pm, we absolutely can't wait!


SUSAN MEYER REVIEWED FOR HER FIRST EXHIBITION IN SARATOGA SPRINGS


Plus Gallery artist Susan Meyer left her long-time home-base of Denver last year for a tenured teaching position in New York, a major loss for our community but a positive step for one of our favorite artists.  Of course we knew it would only be a matter of time before her work would be featured out east, and the exhibition "Imaginary Worlds" at the Saratoga Arts Center is the first to be host to her talent.  Read the review for the exhibition in the Times Union:

DENVER DIGERATI RETURNS THIS SUMMER - FRIDAY FLASH No.6 SET FOR JULY 13TH!


You will not want to miss out on the launch of this summer's new series of awe-inspiring animation and motion art presented in public on the 14th and Champa LED screen by the Denver Theatre District and Denver Digerati, curated by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile.  More information will follow later this month, but save the date for our first program, a singular concept as yet untried anywhere in the world.




OUTSTANDING MUSIC RECOMMENDATION - TIM POURBAIX's "RIVER WELL"


After a week of listening almost non-stop, we can't seem to get Tim Pourbaix's exquisite new album out of our head! Pourbaix played an intimate set at Plus Gallery several years ago for our 9-year anniversary celebration, a special visit along with his girlfriend Jenny Morgan. We thought he was pretty good back then, but slugging it out in Brooklyn has obviously served him well since, "River Well" is destined to be his first masterpiece and most likely the launch of another terrific career by an artist originally from Colorado. We highly recommend checking it out and spreading the word, you can listen in on soundcloud at:


Friday, May 9, 2014

No. 1: PLUS GALLERY OWNER IVAR ZEILE TO SPEAK AT CPAC PANEL @ 6:00pm


The Colorado Photographic Art Center is currently featuring the exhbitition "Constructing Images Post-Photography," featuring recent works by Plus Gallery artist Milton Croissant III, Denver artist Libby Barbee and Kansas Cities Anthony Babb.  On Friday, May 9th the CPAC will host an opportunity to get more involved in the dicussion around the changing currents in contemporary art and how artists are developing new applications influenced by photography.  Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile will be standing in for Croissant at the panel discussion, which starts at 6pm, sharing his knowledge and passion in the digital realm and recent trends that are setting a new and exciting stage for contemporary art, and the fascinating dialogue surrounding them.  This event is $5 for members and students, and $8 for general guests who sign up in advance of May 9th, and otherwise $8 / $12 respectively at the door.

For more info visit http://cpacphoto.org


No. 2: CREATE DENVER OPENS NEW ARTIST RESIDENCY PROJECT FEATURING PLUS GALLERY ARTIST DONALD FODNESS

Join Create Denver this Friday at the McNichols Civic Center Building from 6-8pm for the opening reception of Create Denver's (RESIDENCY): PROCESS TO CONSUMPTION project and exhibition. They will be joined that evening by Sam Samuel Benjamin Pike from "The Forum: Stories That Create" who will becollecting stories from attendees and the artists in the project, including Lu Cong,  Jared David Paul Anderson, Laura Shill, Homare Ikeda,  Amber Cobb, Ravi Zupa, Michael MJ Dowling, Pangloss Gravitron and Plus Gallery's Donald Fodness.

The project provides these Denver-based artists with limited studio time on the third floor of the McNichols Building and 24 "vessels" to create their original works. Friday's opening will challenge both the artist and audience by providing the public a rare opportunity to share in dialog before the work is made over a two month period, leading to the final exhibition, July 11 - 27th.

And stop by Plus Gallery to check out Donald's latest drawing, "Nothin' but Blue Skies do I See; Nothin' But Blue Skies Protected by ADT"


No. 3: LAURA KRUDENER STUDIO PARTY and THE UNVEILING OF NEW SET OF WORKS ON PAPER

Plus Gallery artist Laura Krudener opens the doors to her amazing Denver studio at the Taxi 2 building this Friday evening for a soiree hosted by Impromptu Company that will introduce her latest collection of works on paper.  Join us for what should be a great time, with food provided by Fuel Cafe and drinks from The Proper Pour.  The event is from 6-10pm, with a themed dancy party to kick in towards the latter half of the evening.  Krudener's studio is located at 3457 Ringsby Court #105, directly across the street from Fuel Cafe. Be the first to see these well priced new works in watercolor and mixed media.


KRISTIN STRANSKY'S UNIQUE JEWELRY MAKES THE PERFECT MOTHERS DAY GIFT


Is your mom cool?  If so, you'll want to stop by Plus Gallery and acquire some of the unique jewelry by our featured artist Kristin Stransky, who offers up a signature line of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches.  All are made from revolutionary new 3D printing techniques, no two are alike and they are very well priced. The line itself relates to Stransky's ever-expanding "SentiHubs" wall in the exhibition "common / myth,"  on view now through May 24th. And if your mom is super-cool, you may want to consider getting her an "EmotiScan" headpiece that allows her to sample the inner-core of her brain as a generative sound design. Slightly more expensive than the jewelry but these striking gems are absolutely worth every penny.


Recent visitors to Plus Gallery have also been enjoying Stransky's interactive station #youDidntMeanWhatYouSay located on the second floor.  That piece will be moving offsite this Saturday for the Culturehaus event "Banner - The Art of Light" taking place that evening at Battery 621 @ 621 Kalamath St.  The signature fundraising event for the organization brings the art of light to life through music, design, a visual glow in the dark fashion show by Art Shoes and an interactive video game by OhHeckYeah.  Find out more about attending the event at their website:



Happy mothers day to all!

XI ZHANG "SELFIES" FEATURED IN THE UPCOMING DAVA EXHIBITION "TEXT" MAY 16 - JUNE 28TH


TEXT is an exhibition that explores communications systems across time and cultures.  Through text and images, DAVA youth explored past and current ways of messaging, culminating in stories described through a variety of print/3d media.  Works by guest artists Rick Griffith, Joel Swanson and Plus Gallery's Xi Zhang add different approaches.

After examining the history of communication, DAVA middle school age students used typewriters, texting abbreviations, stop motion and digital animation to tell stories. Younger students inscribed personal stories with drawings and words on hand built clay stelae, drawn selfies, ideograms, and words on wood panels. Visitors will also be able to write messages using ceramic emoticons to share their impressions during the exhibit.

Guest designer Rick Griffith introduced the concepts of typography and communication to DAVA students.  A selection of Griffith's prints created with the letterpress will be included in the exhibition. Xi Zhang's series of paintings represents people takingselfies within traditional settings, mixing old and new. In his digital media pieces, Joel Swanson uses abstract shapes to communicate through Braille and keyboard keys.


DAVA will host an Opening Reception on Friday May 16th from 4 - 7:30 pm
with a spoken word performance by Molina Speaks at 4:30 pm

Exhibition open from May 16 to June 28, 2014

Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 am- 5pm or by appointment

DAVA is located at 1405 Florence St., one block south of Colfax Avenue in the Aurora Cultural Arts District

For more information, please call DAVA at 303 367 5886 or visit www.davarts.org

OHHECKYEAH PROJECT ALMOST READY TO LAUNCH IN DOWNTOWN DENVER! DOCENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR SUMMERTIME FUN


By now you may have already heard about "OhHeckYeah," the progressive concept that brings gaming to the streets of Denver with opportunities for the public to interact with the Denver Theatre Districts massive LED screens in a new and exciting way. The project received a major ArtPlace America grant last year, and has been driving forward ever since in anticipation of the launch on June 7th and continuing on select evenings through July 26th.

Check out the trailer for "Catchy," the first official OhHeckYeah video game that will debut at this summer's street arcade:



And mastermind of OhHeckYeah Brian Corrigan is looking for docents to help support the project throughout it's run.  Brian is a terrific guy, one of the smartest and sweetest creatives we've ever met, so this is a great opportunity to help out with a groundbreaking project in Denver. Anyone that is interested in helping or finding out more can contact docent manager Blair at volunteer@ohheckyeah.com and the sooner the better.

Friday, May 2, 2014

PLUS GALLERY EXTENDS HOURS FOR FIRST FRIDAY, MAY 2nd KRISTIN STRANSKY 3D PRINT DEMONSTRATION AND ARTIST TALK HELD @ 4PM ON SATURDAY MAY 3rd



Plus Gallery will remain open till 8pm this evening for First Friday.  Our current exhibition "common / myth" featuring interactive works by Kristin Stransky, is now on view and a thrilling experience for anyone that loves to explore the possibilities within contemporary art.  Stransky was profiled this week by Susan Froyd for Westword's ongoing series "100 Colorado Creatives," read her responses including what inspires her at:

http://blogs.westword.com/




Stransky and Plus Gallery are also featured in this week's print-edition of Westword in the Night and Day section for tomorrow afternoon's first-ever 3D print demonstration.  Stransky utilizes this new technology in fascinating ways throughout the works on view in "common / myth," so it's a tremendous opportunity for everyone to see more about the practical applications of this technology.
































Stransky's recent history as an artist has included various applications of "wearable" art, and her exhibition is also an opportunity to pick up her unique new line of jewelry that utilizes 3D printed elements in an exciting capacity.  Included in the line are earrings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets, all ranging between $20 - $100.



DENVER POST RANKS TOP TEN COMMERCIAL GALLERIES ON SUNDAY PLUS GALLERY CLOCKS IN AT No. 4


Plus Gallery is very proud and appreciative to have been noted as the 4th best art gallery in Denver by art critic Ray Mark Rinaldi in last Sunday's Denver Post. Competition in Denver is extreme in what is undoubtedly one of the most surging art scenes in the nation, and the quality much higher than the majority of the world, or even the city itself, tends to acknowledge. Over the course of the last two years since taking over the position of art critic for the Post, Rinaldi has developed a level of understanding and overall engagement for Denver's contemporary scene that is robust and informative. We are particularly proud for his take on Plus Gallery as "....the most adventurous gallery in town..." and "....a crucial showplace for new art in Denver."


Read the full report here:

PLUS GALLERY OWNER IVAR ZEILE TO SPEAK AT CPAC PANEL FRIDAY, MAY 9th @ 6:30pm


The Colorado Photographic Art Center is currently featuring the exhibition "Constructing Images Post-Photography," featuring recent works by Plus Gallery artist Milton Croissant III, Denver artist Libby Barbee and Kansas Cities Anthony Babb.  On Friday, May 9th the CPAC will host an opportunity to get more involved in the discussion around the changing currents in contemporary art and how artists are developing new applications influenced by photography.  Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile will be standing in for Croissant at the panel discussion, which starts at 6pm, sharing his knowledge and passion in the digital realm and recent trends that are setting a new and exciting stage for contemporary art, and the fascinating dialogue surrounding them.  This event is $5 for members and students, and $8 for general guests who sign up in advance of May 9th, and otherwise $8 / $12 respectively at the door.


For more info visit http://cpacphoto.org


SAVE THE DATE NO1: MAY 29th

For the return to Denver of one of our most beloved, respected and collected artists, Xi Zhang and his latest solo exhibition "BONE"

SAVE THE DATE NO2: JUNE 13th

Friday Flash returns to the corner of 14th and Champa with a brand new, spectacular collection of digital animation and motion-based artworks.  More details for what's on tap to follow later this month.

Friday, April 25, 2014

"COMMON/MYTH" INTRODUCES KRISTIN STRANSKY TO DENVER PLUS GALLERY TO HOST OPENING RECEPTION FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH FROM 7-9PM




Plus Gallery continues our current focus on the future of art, specifically through local new-media artists working with unprecedented materials and techniques.  Kristin Stransky's  "common/myth" is an explosive solo debut by an artist whose conceptual work involves a unique engagement with digital imaging, complex 3D printing techniques and audience interaction. The works in "common/myth" examine the transitions between consciousness and universal mythologies, presented in a playful environment that is often lacking in the commercial sphere. Steeped in digital methodologies and interactions, the work urges the viewer to move, touch, wear, listen, add onto and most importantly think about sensations of and within the body in thoughtful new ways. Collectively they encompass a vision of the future in both concept as well as material approach. The works on display in the exhibition are described as follows:

ImagingProfiler
Proximity-detecting robots that react to motion and explore cultural and technological views of the body, relating to particularly loaded gender-neutral body parts. The viewer interacts with the robots by stepping towards or away from the profilers..

Medi-topology Reconnaissance Initiative (MRI)
A gender-specific dissection of body parts in two dimensional stacked planes.

EmotiScan
Wearable accoutrements that translates the users organic material into a sensory output. Users are encouraged to remove the devices from their stations and place on head, as per instructions provided in the exhibition.

SentiHubs
An exploration into the digital manifestation of emotional mapping. Users may add components provided to the hubs as they desire.

"common/myth" will open with a reception on Friday, April 25th from 7-9pm. Kristin Stransky will present a 3D printing demonstration and artist talk in conjunction with the exhibition on Saturday, May 3rd at 4pm, the first of its kind to take place in a Denver gallery context.  Stransky will also present an all-day 3D print demonstration on Saturday, May 17th in conjunction with the River North Art District's annual Safari art tour, from noon-5pm.

Read (or listen to) today's report by Carrie Saldo for KUNC Community Radio (Northern Colorado and NPR network) that intersects with Stransky's exhibition and recent advances for technology in art, including a visual demonstration of Stransky's "EmotiScan" at:


Find out more about Kristin Stransky's work at kristinstransky.com

ADDITIONAL ARTIST NEWS


Plus Gallery artist Jenny Morgan's second commissioned painting for the NY TImes appeared full-page last Sunday in the NY Times Magazine, corresponding with an interesting article about the low-key musician Sia, who happens to have achieved her fortune writing major hits for Pop artists.  Those who didn't already read the article in print can check it out online at:


The Colorado Photographic Arts Center in Denver is currently hosting a three-person exhibition "Constructing Images Post-Photography" featuring four works from Plus Gallery artist Milton Croissant III's transformative "House Party 6" series. The exhibition will be on view through May 24th.



Plus Gallery artists Wes Magyar is featured with a major solo exhibition "Means to an End" at the Arvada Center for the Arts, on view now through May11th. The exhibition features paintings from the past decade alongside new works by the artist, in a stunning display of depth and artistic development.


Friday, April 18, 2014

FINAL WEEK FOR "TRANSITIONAL FRAGMENTS" AT PLUS GALLERY


Plus Gallery's current exhibition "Transitional Fragments," featuring recent collaborative works by Chris Coleman and Laleh Mehran, will conclude this weekend.  Please stop by and view one of the most striking exhibitions of the year during our regular hours of noon to 5pm, now through Saturday April 19th.  Read more about the exhibition in the Denver Post review from March 23rd:


HOUSE PARTY TONIGHT AT THE COLORADO PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS CENTER! "CONSTRUCTING IMAGES POST-PHOTOGRAPHY" OPENS WITH A RECEPTION FROM 6-8pm


The Colorado Photographic Arts Center, located at 1513 Boulder Street in Denver Highlands neighborhood just on the edge of downtown, will open the three-person exhibition "Constructing Images Post-Photography" this evening, Thursday April 18th, with a reception from 6-8pm.  Curated by Conor King, "Post Photography" is an exciting exhibition that explores how artists, through a variety of mediums, use and are influenced by photography.  The premise is solid and forward thinking:  in a time when photography so saturates both the art market and all aspects of the world we live in, it becomes difficult to distinguish the difference between what is and is not influenced by the medium. The exhibition features works by Libby Barbee, Anthony Baab and Plus Gallery's own Milton Croissant III.


Croissant's work is an exceptional case in point.  When his "House Party 6" series was first introduced at Plus Gallery in last summer's group exhibition "Mirage," most everyone had to do a double-take when confronted by his impressive, large-scale images.  Some swore they were paintings, others photographs....few initially understood that they were digital compositions of uncanny and almost pristine detail. The images depict the aftermath of what seems like a rather unconventional party, one where kids perhaps tripped out on electronics, paint-ball and movies, over soda pop and possibly cake (one with a basketball seemingly embedded prior to being eaten). Full of mystery and exuding some of the most sensitive surface qualities possible in the medium, Croissant's "House Party 6" series was one of the most outstanding discoveries of the year, by an artist known quite well in Denver's underground art-scene but new to the more mature contemporary market in which his latest developments so deserve to reside.




This year the CPAC continues the forward momentum for Croissant and his work, taking off from Denver Digerati's inspired recent commissions featuring Croissants superior talent in motion-based art, and overlapping their nightly screenings at the now-revered "Monkey Town  4" project taking place in the River North Arts District through June 1st.  The Arvada Center picks up the ball next, injecting their space with a handful of some of Colorado's most advanced and thrilling new-media artists this summer in an exhibition that will extrapolate on all previous efforts exponentially.  We are thrilled to see the appreciation that is continuing to build for an artist who only three years prior was noted as "One of the top artists under 35 years old" by then Denver Post art critic Kyle MacMillan, alongside the likes of Plus Gallery artist Xi Zhang and Denver Digerati commissioned artist Justin Beard.


Milton Croissant III has this to say about the body of work on view at CPAC:

"The adolescent Id played out in a modernist home: pre-dusk snapshots. The youths are gone or dead. Fan Fiction for the never-to-be-made movie in the "House Party" legacy movie series."

Much of my recent work deals with the embedded narratives within real or imagined architectural spaces. I create these spaces using opensource, 3D modeling software. The working environment of 3D software enables me to control all visual aspects of a scene in a nearly infinitely scalable world to simulate an imagined scenario. These features make my work very similar to photography: the only required components are light and a camera. However in this work I have complete control over appearance, material, and even physics. This artifice of control allows me to play in the uncanny valley, the hinterland between fiction and concrete reality.

The scenes that unfold in the "House Party 6" series take place within a single home - one that is fashioned after the aesthetics of teen party movies made in the 1980's and early 90's. Each room is laid waste by the churning id of youth, but the kids are all gone. What remains is the silent, detached gaze of a television or computer monitor. The screens emit a Hopper-esque light, highlighting the paradoxical loneliness of modernity.




Croissant is currently based in Baltimore, but his connection and appreciation for his hometown of Denver is everlasting.  Please join us this evening in celebrating the work of a fascinating young artist firmly on the rise.

For more information visit

SAVE THE DATE: COMMON/MYTH INTRODUCES KRISTIN STRANKSY TO DENV



While we are on the topic of new, progressive talent, Plus Gallery invites you to join us next Friday evening, April 25th for the opening reception of a very different and exciting exhibition:  Kristin Stranky's "common/myth" is an explosive solo debut by an artist whose conceptual work involves a unique engagement with digital imaging, complex 3-d printing techniques and audience interaction. Her works examine the duality of emotion and physicality in popular cultural's examination of the body and mind. Rooted in society's rapidly advancing, collective "digital memory," Stransky creates a thought-provoking, interactive environment that is a vision of the future in both concept as well as material approach.



Plus Gallery intern Nicki Maggiore sporting Stransky's "EmotiScan"


Plus Gallery first discovered Stransky's talent through her contribution to the 2013 USA Pro Challenge Bike Art project, hosted by Visit Denver and the Denver International Airport.  Stransky's bike (in collaboration with fellow artist Audrey Seiler), a dazzlingly complex creation representing Steamboat Springs, utilized advanced 3-d printing techniques to stunning effect. The project deservedly took the top prize for that year's competition, a clear winner amongst a pack of talented and highly creative Colorado artists.  The bike is now part of DIA's permanent art collection and is prominently featured on this year's annual wall calendar. Stransky's work has also been featured on the Creator's Project, the Ars Electronica blog, and Instructables. She completed her BFA from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana in 2007, with a concentration in Sculpture. Stransky is currently a MFA student at the University of Denver in the Emergent Digital Practices program. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver, teaching Imaging, Coding and Wearables.

PHOTOS FROM RECENT PLUS GALLERY RELATED EVENTS


Wes Magyar's opening reception for "Means to an End," on view at the Arvada Center through May 11th.


"Connecting with Collectors" event last night, sponsored by DAM Contemporaries


MONKEY TOWN 4 LOVE AND ACCOLADES KEEP COMING!

Get tickets now:
http://5280.com/culture/magazine/2014/

Check out the review by Telluride Inside:
http://www.tellurideinside.com/

AND SHOULD YOU FIND YOURSELF AT THE CORNER OF 14th AND ARAPAHOE:



Feast your eyes on these gems from Dutch artist Jules Julien, part of Denver Digerati's new "10-seconds of relief" effort for the downtown LED screens:

Friday, April 11, 2014

WES MAGYAR AT THE ARVADA CENTER

It has been some time since Plus Gallery artist Wes Magyar has had a solo show, but his return to the forefront takes place tonight when the Arvada Center presents his exhibition "Means To and End." Join us for the opening reception from 6-9pm this evening, the exhibition features selections from throughout Magyar's career as well as some recently completed gems such as this painting "Singular Fragment"


MILTON MELVIN CROISSANT III - SEE THE WORK, AND REMEMBER THAT NAME!

When we first debuted a new series of works by Milton Melvin Croissant III last year for our "Mirage" group exhibition, we knew they were supreme. So supreme that they will go on view this year at the Colorado Photographic Center's new exhibition "Post Photography" opening next thursday April 17th. From there they will go to the Arvada Center for a group summer show also featuring Plus Gallery artists Alex McLeod, Chris Coleman and Laleh Mehran. We are thrilled to see others in the community rallying around such great artists and their work. Some might even recall that Croissant was named one of the top artists under age of 35 a couple of years back by then Denver Post art critic Kyle MacMillan, just prior to Croissant moving to Baltimore. We could not agree more.




NEW SHANNON NOVAK BOOK RELEASED IN NEW ZEALAND



A special package arrived in the mail last week, the newly published volume on New Zealand artist Shannon Novak whom we have exhibited on select occasions here at Plus Gallery. "Manhattan Phrase 40.74279,-74.008981 to 40.728411,-73.975679" may be a mouthful, but it digs deeply into Novak's history and recent residency in New York City where he used his applications in augmented reality in the "Art in Odd Places" context.  It's an exciting book that we highly recommend checking out:

http://www.chartwell.org.nz/


HIGHLIGHTS ON OUTSTANDING ARTISTS WE'VE WORKED WITH IN LIMITED CAPACITY IN THE PAST


A recent interview with new media sensation Jeremy Bailey, who just took second place in the online-only Tgif competition last week:




And an interview with Brendan Tang, whose amazing ceramic works we introduced to Denver in 2010 in our Biennial of the Americas exhibition. Tang is currently teamed up with Plus Gallery artist Alex McLeod for an exhibition in Vancouver:

http://blogs.vancouversun.comf-high-and-low-art-in-manga-ormolu/





Finally, Jonathan Monaghan, who we regard as one of the absolute best in the new field of contemporary digital animation, will have last year's Denver Digerati commission "Office" shown in NYC at Eyebeam in the upcoming exhibition  "The New Romantics