More mind-blowing than Meow Wolf! More windows than ever! More square footage of artwork out of storage. And double the number of elevators! The Denver Art Museum this week unveiled a thoughtful and physically stunning overhaul of the Martin Building — it’s been not just renovated but “reimagined,” the curators like to say — in […]
Joanne Ostrow
Special to The Colorado Sun
Email: ostrowjoanne@gmail.com Twitter: @joanneostrow
Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, COVID, Culture, Economy, Music, News
Philanthropic angels rescue some Colorado arts groups, but most still struggle under coronavirus
Everyone dreams of an angel, especially arts groups, especially during a pandemic — a generous patron to ease the financial hardships of the coronavirus crisis. So far, the best angel stories come from the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Ballet. An anonymous donor gave the symphony a $2 million gift this month that will keep its […]
Posted inBusiness, Culture, News, Politics and Government
Some of Colorado’s conservative talk radio stations are turning down the volume on “rigged election” claims
Listeners to talk radio station KVOR (740 AM) in Colorado Springs may no longer hear quite so much railing about a rigged election or calls for violent protest. Cumulus Media, a talk radio company with a roster of popular right-wing personalities, including Dan Bongino, Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro, has ordered its employees at 416 […]
Posted inArts, Coloradans, COVID, Culture, Environment
In southwest Colorado, high tech plays in the mud to produce ecologically sound architecture — and art
In the middle of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, a progressive architecture and design firm is proving that everything old is new again. Also, that the future is mud. Combining indigenous mud-based building materials with 21st century robotics, California-based Rael San Fratello created the oddly beautiful structures of “Casa Covida,” their “proto-architectures” that connect high- and […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: How have the media performed during this longest presidential term in our lifetimes? And what lessons were learned?
Admittedly, some of us have been running on fumes since Election Night 2016. The weeks ahead of Donald Trump’s election were filled with outrage, sexist and racist memes and the promise of chaos. That was only the beginning. Now the “Access Hollywood” tape is ancient history and our pussy hats are in storage. Trump’s threats […]
Posted inArts, Culture
Denver lands CARNE y ARENA, a powerful immersive, virtual reality experience about refugees
An immersive virtual reality experience in the time of COVID? You are right to be skeptical. First, know that this groundbreaking virtual reality experience is safer than a trip to the grocery store, in terms of germs, and healthier than breathing Colorado’s ash-filled air, in terms of raging wildfires. No crowds. Appropriate preventive measures. Clean […]
Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, COVID, Culture, Election 2020, Music, Politics and Government
Can government investment in the arts help lift Colorado, the U.S. out of the economy’s coronavirus slump?
Maybe if things get bad enough, something radically good can come of it. Some arts advocates, daring to hope for a change in the presidential administration, believe it’s almost time for a new New Deal for the arts. Michael Bracy, a Washington, D.C., lobbyist who has worked in music policy for 20 years, insists the […]
Posted inArts, Business, Coloradans, COVID, Culture, Music, News
Coronavirus killed 59,179 arts jobs in Colorado and crippled key economic and cultural engines. Can they be revived?
While it may not feel as urgent as an eviction notice or the fear of food scarcity, the devastation of the arts and culture scene due to the coronavirus pandemic portends long-term ripple effects. The arts in Colorado are a powerful economic driver as well as a defining aspect of our community and fuel for […]
Posted inArts, Business, COVID, Culture, News
Colorado theater companies are clinging to life and worry coronavirus will mean shows cannot go on
Live from her living room on Saturday night, Denver actor-writer-composer Laura Jo Trexler will perform her original one-woman musical, “Play On! A Musical Romp with Shakespeare’s Women,” streaming in real time through the Aurora Fox’s website and Facebook page. “We’re trying to keep our art form alive and bring live theatre to the masses by […]
Posted inArts, Culture
Rauschenberg show at Museum of Outdoor Arts invites viewers to reflect, literally
Some of Robert Rauschenberg’s early works made him seem a rather dark and brooding artist. His series of black paintings stand out in memory — and his white paintings and red paintings — puzzling panels of solid color inviting deep dissertations on light and the lack thereof. Some heavy intellectualizing greeted each canvas. Rauschenberg later […]