Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

Museum+of+Contemporary+Art+Denver

Contemporary art is an interesting topic. Some pieces from different artists show similarities while focusing on completely different subjects, not unlike renaissance or other classic forms of art. Also like most types of art, it is not for everyone. Contemporary art features lots of digital elements and bright colors seem to be a common theme. The difference with contemporary compared to most forms of art is it has absolutely no boundaries. There are no standards or rules that have to be observed. Most types of art are like this, but contemporary takes it to new extremes.

Recently, the museum had some very interesting exhibits, like The Kids Were Alright by Ryan McGinley. It features hundreds upon hundreds of polaroids that he took in the 90s in New York City. Some of his images are provocative and feature explicit content. Practically every image invokes a reaction and some thought, whether it’s one of the hundreds of polaroids of his friends, or if it’s a picture of a man with bloody teeth putting another guy in a headlock, each image capture the wild NYC nights that many sitcoms try to replicate.  

This collection of images is a look back on what made McGinley famous, although at the time he was an unknown photographer just capturing his friends in their natural element, discovering his life and passions. He is now an award-winning photographer. His exhibit is up until August 20, 2017.

Another exhibit that is currently at the museum is, Wall Writers: Graffiti in its Innocence, the exhibit mainly focuses on graffiti around the 60s and 70s, when many this form of street art was starting out. The exhibit highlights one of the most well-known graffiti artists at this time, TAKI 183, who was a ‘writer’ in New York City.   

The Museum of Contemporary Art goes out of its way to cater to the youth. There is an upcoming event called the Failure Fair. This contest is for college-bound Colorado seniors and the prize is a $10,000 scholarship. Students can submit a project of any kind, fashion, visual and performing arts, digital, and more. This contest is to encourage students to be creative and maybe win some money towards the college of their choice.

The art museum changed their exhibits routinely, the three different levels all feature exhibits but the roof has a very artistic garden as well as a small cafe. The whole place is an experience that everyone who lives in Colorado should try. Art comes in many forms, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the small, but beautiful Museum of Contemporary Art.