This weekend starting at 5 PM on Saturday, August 9th, we saw the 24-hour grand opening of the Aspen Art Museum with an eclectic mix of art lovers, fun lovers, music lovers, and dance lovers, coming together to celebrate this (controversial) landmark, that dominates the corner of East Hyman and South Spring Street.
Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no question that people are fascinated by the museum’s unique architecture and once inside, you’ll quickly forget that Aspen is a small resort town. With its soaring ceilings and walls of glass, the interior lower floors and stairs brought to mind a smaller-scale version of the Chicago Art Institute’s modern wing. But that’s where the similarity ends.
Touring the spacious lower-level gallery there are some interesting works composed of body parts pressed into pigment and then rolled onto paper. Not unlike the potato prints of our youth but in some instances, a bit naughtier. The temporary housing exhibit generated a lot of interest with some individuals trying the structures out for size.
By late evening, and after the street music, numerous workshops, and movie screenings were over, the action moved to the top floor where the open area known as ‘The Moving Ghost Town’ or, ‘the 3 tortoises with I-Pads attached to their back’ was in total darkness and there was no sign of movement, probably because Mr. Tortoise had retired for the night.
Not so the revelers and the atmosphere was most definitely a party one. I suspect a number of people had signed up for the Dream Interpretation Activity event, allowing them to really let rip without fear of being pulled over by the local constabulary as they drove home. They weren’t going to get much sleep however as the ‘Silent Dance Party’ didn’t end until 2 AM and the ‘sleepover’ event was from 3-7 AM.
The Silent Dance Party was a huge success and a lot of fun. Although folks not wearing earphones couldn’t hear the techno music, many danced along anyway and the chatter noise level remained very high. The tortoises should get a better night’s sleep tonight. Until the event officially closes at 5 PM today (10th), you could choose to rehabilitate yourself with sunrise Yoga; families could participate in clay modeling workshops and then enjoy a performance by the Theater Aspen’s Summer Teen Conservatory, followed by a cooking demo and lunch in the new cafe.
Finally and bringing the 24-hour ‘happening’ to a close, a panel discussion on Liberty and Justice for All – ‘An interdisciplinary conversation addresses pressing civil rights issues of the twenty-first century in response to Jim Hodges’ outdoor installation.’
With this and so much more happening in Aspen on a weekly basis, how could you possibly want to be anywhere else?
(Written by Jackie Mansfield – Freelance Blogger, Social Media & Marketing Communications)
