Recap: Adaptive Reuse Tour at The Tramway and “This is Modern Art”
On Thursday, April 5, 2018, we were proud to present a special evening of adaptive reuse and This is Modern Art in partnership with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA). The evening entailed an adaptive reuse tour of Denver’s historic Tramway Building lead by Chris Wineman, Principal with Semple Brown Design, an overview of the scenic design process for This is Modern Art with Nicholas Renaud, DCPA set designer and This is Modern Art, a performance about graffiti and the purpose of art.
About the tour: The Newman Center for Theatre Education building was originally constructed in 1911 as the “car barn” for the Denver Tramway Company. The architects were Fisher & Fisher; the office tower (now the Hotel Teatro) and the car barn served the Tramway Company until it was purchased by CU in 1956 to serve as its Denver Extension Center. The Tramway Building was shared by the Auraria Higher Education Center and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts until the campus opened the King Center and the DCPA gained control of the whole structure adding the 4th floor. The DCPA has consolidated its administrative, production and education programs in the building since then. The unique characteristics of the car barn – including tall volumes, heavy structure and large floor plates – have served well the requirements of rehearsal halls, scenic shops and education studios. – Courtesy of Semple Brown Design
About the show: “Graffiti crews are willing to risk anything for their art. Called vandals, criminals, even creative terrorists, Chicago graffiti artists set out night after night to make their voices heard and alter the way people view the world. But when one crew finishes the biggest graffiti bomb of their careers, the consequences get serious and spark a public debate asking, where does art belong? This Is Modern Art gives a glimpse into the lives of anonymous graffiti artists and asks us to question the true purpose of art.” – Courtesy of DCPA
