On Sunday, July 29th the Denver Film Center will host "Tastemakers on Taste" at 2pm. Three of Denver's best-known art gallery owners join Cinema Salon curator and host Robert Denerstein for a look at movies that shed light on the aesthetic standards by which they approach their jobs. Robin Rule of Rule Gallery, Tina Goodwin of Goodwin Fine Art and Ivar Zeile of Plus Gallery will be on hand to discuss film, art and aesthetics. Each of Denerstein's guests have selected two films that come closest to reflecting his or her taste and sensibilities. The program, with clips, provides a rare opportunity to learn how these leading gallery owners evaluate and appreciate art.
Most everyone familiar with Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile knows that his deep engagement with the visual arts began in the realm of film. Zeile has one of the most unique histories with cinema for a contemporary art dealer, a passion that continues to propel him today. Zeile's first college job was dishing popcorn at the Student-run movie theater at the University of Utah back in 1986. But Popcorn was not enough, the advent of Apple computers found Zeile utilizing early design software on the mac platform to create crude yet bold advertisements for the theaters program, leading to his taking curatorial helm in his second year at the university. From there he learned the intricacies of reel-to-reel 35mm film projection, which led to over a decade of experience as a projectionist at the local art-house cinemas, ones more seedy than anything found in Denver and with ancient equipment and complex histories that are still revered today to audiences throughout the region. Zeile's interest in film led to writing gigs as a critic for the University student newspaper, bleeding outward for many years as a reporter covering international film festivals and special interest programs for the Tower-prevue. His Sundance Film Festival years started as a volunteer runner, quickly progressing to a managerial position with the film-traffic department and ultimately to the presentation manager during the festivals hey-day as a harbringer of today's top talents (including damage control during multiple breaks in Quentin Tarrantino's debut of "Reservoir Dogs" amongst others!). All of this led to Robert Redford and the Sundance Institute commissioning Zeile to produce and direct three festival trailers for the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. And then it all suddenly stopped in 2001 when Zeile moved to Denver to open a contemporary art gallery. But not really, as many who have followed our newsletter now know why there is so much coverage of select films as well as the Denver Film Festival over the last ten years, and on up through Zeile's present curatorial assignments with motion-based art through the Denver Theatre District.
Yes, Zeile has something to say about film and its influence on contemporary art and life. Come find out what two films Ivar picked to highlight and hear for yourself on Sunday afternoon, July 29th at the Denver Film Center on Colfax at 2pm to cap a weekend-long stint of Plus Gallery anniversary activities.
The Film/Center Colfax is located at 2510 E. Colfax Ave.
Mike Whiting - "Duck and Birdie"
