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What you'll see at the Denver Art Museum

One of North America's most important and stimulating art experiences is suddenly a familiar three-hour drive from Steamboat Springs.

A trip to the Denver Art Museum and its dramatic new Frederic C. Hamilton Building should be at the top of everyone's list of in-state excursions in 2007.

If it sounds unsophisticated to suggest visiting an art museum because of a mere building, at least reserve judgment until you've experienced architect Daniel Libeskind's masterpiece.

The building, which opened in October, will delight and challenge you. Ultimately, a visit to the museum should be about the works of art it contains. But at least on first visit, it is almost impossible to separate the building - and the way it presents DAM's diverse collection - from the art itself.

From the moment you first catch glimpses of the Hamilton Building, peeking out from behind the handsome Denver Public Library, the $75 million addition to the art museum will alter your precepts of what a building is. Libeskind's building rejects the rectilinear walls that are ingrained in our neural paths and have become part of the way we perceive the world.

The mild disorientation produced by the building may serve to open visitors' minds to the diverse contemporary art works in "RADAR," a temporary exhibit on loan from the Vick and Kent Logan Collection. The collection, which contains pieces that address cultural and social issues, is on display in the 11,000-square-foot Anschutz Gallery through July 15.

These works are distinctly "modern art," but don't get the wrong impression, they are not abstract. Rather, they are examples of figurative art and realism. Many are from the past 10 to 15 years.

The sculpture installation of three life-size male figures by German artist Katharina Fritsch is almost intimidating. The artist acknowledges that the personas represented by the scarlet "Handler (Dealer)," solid black "Monk" and pristine white "Doctor" (the latter is a skeleton in a lab coat) portray "bad men."

As ominous as they appear, it's difficult to walk by the stark sculptures without staring at their perfection.

When the complexity of the works in RADAR becomes overwhelming, museum-goers can quickly retreat to the relatively calming works in the museum's Western art, African and Oceanic collections. The dazzling ceramics in the Virginia Vogel Mattern Collection of Contemporary Native American Art also offer a change of pace. The exhibit is on display through Aug. 19.

Also, the museum's permanent collection of American Indian art is one of the largest anywhere.

It doesn't matter if you live in the Yampa Valley full time or are planning to stay in a Steamboat vacation home for a month - you'll want to plan a visit to the Denver Art Museum and the Hamilton Building this year.

It promises an experience that will be enriching beyond your expectations.

Where to stay

The first choice of hotels - if cost isn't an issue - is the Oxford Hotel (www.theoxfordhotel.com or (866) 696-3617) or the Grand Hyatt (http://granddenver.hyatt.com or (303) 295-1234).

Consider the Hampton Inn and Suites (www.hamptoninn.hilton.com or (303) 864-8000) if you'd like to stay in a stylish, new and modestly priced hotel within seven blocks of the museum. The Hampton Inn is just north of the State Capitol on Sherman Avenue and includes a complimentary hot breakfast (eggs, waffles, bacon and sausage, among other items) and ample free, on-site parking on weekends.

Getting there

The Denver Art Museum is on 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock streets in Denver. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and it is closed Mondays.

Admission for Colorado residents is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $3 for children ages 6 to 18. General admission is free to Colorado residents on the first Saturday of every month.

The most convenient parking is in the Cultural Complex Garage at 12th Avenue and Broadway, just steps from the museum.

Extras

The museum staff has created hands-on areas specifically to make young children comfortable in the galleries.

The museum offers fine dining (Palettes) and casual dining (Mad Greens). Two people can lunch on gourmet salads and a half-panini for less than $20 with beverages.

Visit www.denverartmuseum.org for more information.

At Home, Winter 2007

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• Mountains of coal
• Q&A with Verne Lundquist
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