Denver, CO

Nature gets a slick, high-tech treatment at the Denver Art Museum

Published

2 years ago

May 27, 2024

Nature gets a slick, high-tech treatment at the Denver Art Museum

The Denver Art Museum’s new “Biophilia” gives people what they want in an art exhibition these days: multi-sensory objects that come in blazing colors, that light up before the eyes, that change shape and stature in response to the movement of whatever body is in the room.

It is an interactive and high-tech affair, and about as far away from a traditional display of pretty pictures hanging on a gallery wall as you can get. “Biophilia” is a cool show that might make for a swell outing on a hot summer day.

“Meadow,” created by the Dutch design team Drift, relies on “advanced robotics and complex software create a field of blooms in perpetual motion.” (Provided by the Denver Art Museum)

Consider the installation “Meadow,” created by the Dutch design team Drift, for which “advanced robotics and complex software create a field of blooms in perpetual motion.” The piece consists of a few dozen pendant lamps, shaped like fluffy flowers, whose fabric petals open and close in a speeded-up rhythm meant to mirror the change from day to night.

Low, flat sofas are placed strategically on the gallery floor, directly beneath the piece, and visitors can lie on their backs and stare up at the light show hanging from the ceiling.

The point: to reflect and reconnect with nature, according to the museum’s signage. Thus, “Meadow” is right in line with “Biophilia’s” overall theme of demonstrating how designers and artists respond to nature.

As a concept for an exhibition, that is not deep and it is not new. Nature has always been a dominant theme in design, probably the most persistent source of inspiration that ever existed, and there is millennia-long tour through the history of art, textiles, fashion and furniture to prove the point.

We could start, late in the game, with the flowery patterns of medieval tapestries; stop randomly at the flowery patterns of wallpaper created by still-adored British designer William Morris in the 19th century; and complete the trip right where “Biophilia” picks it up, with the display of a pair of flowery, runway-ready gowns by Iris van Herpen, one of the brightest stars of the fashion world right now.

What is closer to new is the use of technology in the creation and display of many works. Clothing designers used to rely on silk and wool, products manufactured by animals themselves. Van Herpen’s dresses are made from laser-cut Mylar and cotton that has been “heat-bonded onto organza.” The dresses are a marvel — bouncy, sexy, comfy and lighter-than-air. This show could use more of them.

“Biophilia,” organized by the museum’s design curator Darrin Alfred, has a variety of objects on its checklist. There are bowls, tables, sofas and chandeliers in the mix. Fans of what museums used to commonly call decorative arts will find plenty to like, as well as familiar materials, in the show’s inclusion of delicate marble “Tau” vases, by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid; or in Czech designer David Valner’s “Fungus” vases, made from glass.

The show’s selfie moment comes from Nacho Carbonell’s “One-seater Concrete Tree.” (Provided by the Denver Art Museum)

There are also wool rugs from Argentinian weaver Alexandra Kehayoglou that resemble topographical maps of threatened land in the Amazon forest; and a bight, red leather “Bulbo” chair, formed into a flower bud, from Brazilian brothers Humberto and Fernando Campana.

But visitors are more likely to fixate on the digital, or interactive, attractions, and those are the stars of this show. That includes the 2020 piece “Flowers and People — A Whole Year Per Hour,” by the art collective TeamLab, which formed in Tokyo. The work is a six-channel, digital projection of an animated field of pink and yellow petals that float across the gallery wall. It comes with instructions for viewers: “Stand still at a certain distance and the flowers grow more abundantly — move around, and they fade.”

Again, the purpose is quite simple, and even hackneyed, suggesting that humans and nature are inseparable. The piece does not break any artistic or intellectual ground, but it is thrilling to look at, and to play with.

Where “Biophilia” succeeds best is in ambition. Curator Alfred has a handle on the international design scene and brought in some of the most respected, and in-demand, global names. In addition to van Herpen and Drift, there are “Remolten” stools and tables, from the Chilean design firm gt2P, made from local volcanic rock that has been pulverized and used as a ceramic glaze.

Fredrikson Stallard carved this sofa from a block of polyurethane foam. (Ray Mark Rinaldi, Special to The Denver Post)

There is Spanish designer Nacho Carbonell’s “One-seater Concrete Tree,” a table-lamp combo that visitors can actually sit in (and take photos); a petal-covered “Hortensia” armchair by Argentine artist Andrés Reisinger, who is known best for his digital works; and a model of Beijing-based MAD Architects’ urban design masterpiece, the Nanjing Zendai Himalayas Center, a set of sky-scraping buildings whose silhouettes come together to resemble a mountain landscape.

MAD is the same firm that designed One River North, the new residential building — with the giant canyon cut into its facade — that just opened in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, and that gives the exhibition a local hook.

In the same vein, there is an impressive architectural model of Populus, the building — designed by Chicago’s Studio Gang — that is currently going up next to Denver’s Civic Center, that resembles the trunk of an aspen tree. The model offers new insight to anyone who is curious about the thinking behind the structure.

Art exhibitions that attempt to show new technologies are difficult to pull off. Technology changes so quickly now that even relatively new works lack an edge. The pendant light-based “Meadow,” for example, was made way back in 2017 and it already feels like an old-school classic, rather than something new.

In that way, new is a lot to ask for here — maybe too much, if you want to be fair. But “Biophilia” delivers in other ways.

Design shows that cover so much ground rely on good taste to come together, and this outing has a lot of that on display — for example, Mathieu Lehanneur’s “50 Seas” ceramic plates, whose blue-ish color palette borrows from the world’s great oceans; or Marc Fish’s “Ethereal Double Console” table, which lives up to its name by appearing practical but lighter than air.

It comes together as a grand effort, a treat for local audiences who want to beat the heat and be around some cool stuff.

IF YOU GO

“Biophilia: Nature Reimagined” continues through Aug. 11 at the Denver Art Museum. Info: 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org.

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Denver, CO

Where To Get Chinese Food In And around Denver On Christmas Day – 303 Magazine

Published

10 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Where To Get Chinese Food In And around Denver On Christmas Day – 303 Magazine

Chinese food became popular on Christmas Day primarily because Chinese restaurants were among the few businesses open, offering a convenient, affordable, and culturally neutral dining option.

Several excellent Chinese restaurants in the Denver area that will be open on Christmas Day, continuing a holiday tradition. Many of these locations offer both dine-in and takeout options.

We recommend calling ahead to confirm their holiday hours and placing any takeout orders in advance, as availability may change.

We hope this list of our favorite Chinese restaurants is helpful!

Central Denver

Peter’s Chinese Cafe

A local Chinese-American favorite since 1985, famous for its sesame chicken and loyal clientele

Directions: 2609 E 12th Ave

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

Offering takeout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
You can order online at cogreatwalltogo.com.

Directions: 440 E Colfax Ave

Pepper Asian Bistro

This spot has locations in City Park and the Lower Highlands, providing a mix of Chinese and Thai options for dine-in or takeout.

Directions: 2831 E Colfax Ave

Chinatown Bistro

A cozy uptown option located at 1789 Ogden St., serving classic dishes like sesame chicken and Mongolian beef with easy takeout/delivery options.

Directions: 1789 Ogden St

Little Ollie’s

Open for dine-in, takeout, and delivery from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Order online at littleollies.com.

Directions: 2360 E 3rd Ave

South & West Denver/Englewood

Golden Shanghai Restaurant(USHI)

A beloved establishment open from noon to 9 p.m., offering Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese fare.
Order online at goldenshanghai-denver.com.

Directions: 1412 S Parker Rd

Star Kitchen

A large Chinese fixture known for its dim sum and seafood dishes.

Directions: 2917 W Mississippi

Bistro King Asian Restaurant

This family-owned restaurant in Englewood is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Order online via their website bistrokingonline.com.

Directions: 3542 S Fox St

Chopstix Fusion

A highly-praised, small Denver-area restaurant known for authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine, especially clay pots, noodles (like Beef Chow Fun), and incredible house-made Asian desserts.

Directions: 2020 S Parker Rd

Aurora & Nearby Areas

Chef Liu’s Kitchen

Known for its bold Szechuan and Northern Chinese dishes, available for dine-in or takeout.

Directions: 2222 S Havana St

Dillon’s Dumpling House

Open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day for takeout, delivery, and dine-in.
Order online at dillonsdumplinghouse.com.

Directions: 3571 S Tower Rd

Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings

The Aurora location is open from noon to 9 p.m. for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
You can order via their website nanasdimsumanddumplings.com.

Directions: 2495 S Havana St

Shanghai Kitchen

Open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in from 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Order online at shanghaikitchendenver.com.

Directions: 4940 S Yosemite St

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Denver, CO

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets: Recap and final score

Published

22 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets: Recap and final score

In a game that was over in the first quarter, the Denver Nuggets destroyed the Utah Jazz 135-112. The score isn’t even indicative of how the game went. To start the game, the Nuggets went on a massive run, leaving the Jazz down by 27 points in the middle of the 1st quarter. For the Jazz, it’s surprising just how different they are on the road versus at home. At home, the Jazz are 7-9 while they are 3-9 on the road. This game was a perfect example. The Jazz looked like they got Monstar’d in the first quarter, and there was no way for them to recover the rest of the game. It’s a sign that this Jazz team, as competitive as they’ve mostly been at home, is not there yet as a competitive team.

There were a few things on this one to build on, but some things to be concerned about. Keyonte George was able to calm down after a shaky start and was able to shoot a respectable 7/14 from the field and 2/4 from three. He also grabbed 8 boards and dished out 7 assists. George looked the most in control of anyone on the Jazz during the loss. It’s one of those signs that George is evolving into a great player who will perform at a high level regardless of whatever situation he’s in.

For things to be a little concerned about? Lauri Markkanen continues not shoot the three well. Tonight he was 2/9 from three and is now shooting 35.2%. Overall, Markkanen shot it well from the field at 10/20, but it would be nice if that three-point shot started falling more consistently. It’s the skillset that sets Markkanen apart but it’s not really showing up again this season. Last season, Markkanen ended the year at 34.6%. Is this the reflection of a season being thrown again, or is this just what Markkanen is as a shooter?

Probably the biggest concern of everything is the defense. Yes, you’re playing against Nikola Jokic, but the Jazz came into this one as the #29 defense in the league. So many times in this one, you have defenders playing off shooters and not able to defend shooters. And we’re not talking drive-and-kick-type plays, these are one-pass-away possessions that are getting open threes. It’s not the best sign for this team, ever being a high-level defense. Maybe they’re not trying as hard with the obvious tank that now appears to be happening, but it would be nice to see some better outcomes with the defense on nights like tonight. That said, the best thing for this team, after a game like tonight, is to add more talent to the roster. Fixing the defense is something they’ll worry about more next season. But it’s definitely something to watch as the season goes on, and pay attention to who is able to make an impact defensively.

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Denver, CO

Denver Broncos Week 18 opponent just lost a huge defensive contributor

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Denver Broncos Week 18 opponent just lost a huge defensive contributor

The Denver Broncos saw their 11-game winning streak end thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a pretty brutal performance all the way around from Denver, but thanks to that 11-game winning streak, the Broncos were actually able to lose a game – they could afford a loss, if that makes sense.

Even with the Bills, Chargers, and Patriots all winning in Week 16, the 12-3 Broncos are still atop the AFC West and atop the AFC. All Denver has to do is win their final two games, and both things will be clinched. With Denver slowly beginning to battle key injuries, getting that first-round bye could be massive for the health of the team.

With the Kansas City Chiefs likely starting a third-string QB in Week 17, you would like to think that Denver can take care of business and get to 13-3, which could set up a massive showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers for the division title. Well, that game just got a bit more interesting, as a key Chargers’ defensive player was just suspended.

Chargers lose starting linebacker Denzel Perryman to a two-game suspension

Here is the update from Tom Pelissero:

Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman has been suspended without pay for two games for repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players, including during Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2025

Denzel Perryman is a starting linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers and was essentially suspended two games for not playing a clean, safe version of football. This obviously means that Perryman is not suiting up for the remainder of the regular season, but will be back in time for the playoffs.

Perryman, 33 years old, is on his second stint with the Chargers and has now played in 10 games this year. In those 1- games, he’s racked up three passes defended, 47 total tackles, and four tackles for loss. Perryman is definitely more of a tone-setter on the defensive side of the ball and not someone who is going to make those hyper-athletic splashy plays that some linebackers can make.

This is huge for the Chargers’ defense, a very good unit thanks to defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, but the personnel on that side of the ball aren’t super talented. The Chargers are one of those teams that honestly benefit more from great coaching than they do having more talent than the opponent.

The Bolts can still win the AFC West, but they would have to win their final two games. Not having Denzel Perryman for a massive Week 18 showdown in Denver is flat-out massive and a huge blow to their defense.

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