Denver and the Clyfford Still Museum

2172 views

Share on Tumblr

Denver - The Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, just recently opened this past November and is truly a must-see; the collection comprises 94% of Still’s creative output during his career. Clyfford Still in his will specified that his entire body of work would be given to an American city that would erect a building exclusively devoted to displaying and maintaining his works of art- it just so happens that the city of Denver became that city. The Clyfford Still Museum is a dense, cantilevered two story building of richly worked concrete created by architect Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture that cost over $29 million to build. The building is innovative, constructed out of cast-in-place concrete walls with a variety of surface reliefs made of wood panels. The façade features thin, vertical lines that project from the building organically, which creates a rich surface that alters with the Denver sunlight throughout the day.

In 2004 the Clyfford Still and Patricia Still estates donated 825 paintings, 1575 works on paper and all of Still’s complete personal archives. The collection represents 94% of the artist’s total creative output, making it one off the most comprehensive single-artist collections in the world; in addition the majority of these works have never been exhibited! The museum spans over 28,500 square feet; including 10,000 square feet for nine exhibition galleries, while the remaining space is for the museum’s education facilities; library and archives; collection storage and conservation laboratory. The nine exhibition spaces are located on the museum’s second level and vary in height according to changes in scale and media of Still’s work; in the expansive 18-foot ceilings Still’s monumental Abstract Expressionist canvases are showcased, while the smaller 11-foot ceiling present a more intimate viewing of Still’s drawings, and early paintings from the 1930’s. In each exhibition room, natural light is diffused through the series of skylights made from the perforated concrete ceiling. The geometric openings in the ceiling allow the changing daylight to alter the viewing experience for each viewer depending on the time they visit the museum, and allow Still’s paintings to be viewed in soft light not harsh artificial light which most museum’s are guilty of using.

Clyfford Still (1940- 1980) is undoubtedly the most prolific and innovative artist from the Abstract Expressionist movement. He is considered the most original Abstract Expressionist, for his signature style, which laid the groundwork for the movement in the United States following World War II. In 1951, Still terminated his relationship with commercial galleries, and ceased exhibiting his work; this collection offers viewers the opportunity to view never before seen works of Still’s.

Art - Exhibitions
by Laura Stewart | Thursday, 16 August 2012

Art - Exhibitions
by Christian Hain | Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Art - Exhibitions
by Christian Hain | Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Art - Exhibitions
by Christian Hain | Wednesday, 08 May 2013