COS FAC

COS FAC

Colorado Springs, Colorado – July 10, 2014

Today was the time selected for our obligatory trip to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC). It is only essential because it brings back such fond memories of my childhood. I frequently walked through the museum on weekends or in the summer when I was growing up. Back in the day, admission was free. We love every visit.
As per usual, we arrived early. That allowed me time to take photographs of some of the art outside the museum.
There are multiple sculptures installed on the lawn area in front of the building. I enjoy the giant statue of the Latino dancers. I also appreciate the art deco styling of the building itself. The lines are striking. Construction on the building began in 1936. Because of the timing, the building has an Art Deco feel. In 1986, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The sign for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.
Dancers sculpture outside the museum.
Detail of the dancers’ sculpture.
A butterfly sculpture on the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center property.
Sculpture of Native American women near the entrance to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.
The side of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center building.
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center with Pikes Peak as a backdrop.

Once the museum opened, the main draw was the exhibit, “Chihuly Rediscovered.” It is a display of many of the blown glassworks of Dale Chihuly. The FAC held an earlier Chihuly exhibit in the mid-2000s. During that exhibit, the museum acquired several Chihuly pieces for the permanent collection. Most notable are the entry lobby chandelier and the Orange Hornet chandelier hanging from the ceiling on the second floor.

The entry lobby.
Detail of the Chihuly chandelier in the entry lobby.
The west hall of the museum.
Detail of the Chihuly chandelier in the entry.
Hallway view toward the entry lobby.
Detail of the hallway toward the entry lobby and the hallway beyond.
A Chihuly vase.
Chihuly blown glass sculpture.
Chihuly vase with small blown glass pieces inside.
It almost looks like an explosion of Chihuly pieces.
A nearly opaque Chihuly vase.
Detail of a Chihuly vase.
Several Chihuly pieces including the Orange Hornet chandelier.
Extreme detail of a Chihuly vase.
This Chihuly piece almost looks like a flower.
The gallery displaying many of the Chihuly pieces.
Capturing Chihuly.
Reflection of the Orange Hornet chandelier.
Detail of the Chihuly Persian Wall installation.
Several Chihuly pieces.
Detail of some Chihuly pieces.
Detail of the Chihuly vases within a vase.

We were first exposed to the work of Dale Chihuly in the mid-2000s when the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center first exhibited some of his work. Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Chihuly has become a world-famous glassblower. His pieces are on display in numerous locations around the world. If money were no object, we would love to own one of his amazing pieces!
The following are several other pieces that caught my eye on this visit. The Georgia O’Keeffe Dark Iris No. 1 is always one of my favorites. I have seen a few of her works, but this one in Colorado Springs elicits fond memories.

Dark Iris No. 1 by Georgia O’Keeffe (1927).

This folding partition by Louis Recchia was attractive because of the color and texture.

The Spirit of the Muse by Louis Recchia (1984).

The museum has owned the Study for a David and Goliath for many, many years. There is something about the painting that always captures my attention. For me, I guess it is kind of like a train wreck; one does not want to see it, but one cannot help but look. It is a unique painting; one I would not personally wish to own, but it continues to capture my attention on every visit.

Study for a David and Goliath by Paul Cadmus (1971).

The light sculptures by Chul Hyun Ahn were new works.  They were visually appealing.

Forked Series #29 by Chul Hyun Ahn (2014).

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center has an extensive Native American collection. The detail of the handwork on the various items is impressive.

Detail of a Native American shirt.
Detail of a Native American headdress.

The museum also has an extensive collection of southwest items. I had not seen Cristo Entierrno before. I thought the 19th Century piece was fascinating.

Cristo Entierro (Christ in the Holy Sepulchre) by Juan Miguel Herrera (circa 1860 – 1890).
Detail of Cristo Entierro (Christ in the Holy Sepulchre) by Juan Miguel Herrera (circa 1860 – 1890). Another figure of Christ is visible in the background.

I found the colors and subject matter of the Sunset of Life to be very soothing.

Sunset of Life by Alfred Wands (1941).

I had to capture Catrina for Hillary!

Catrina by Jerry Vigil (2008).

Not necessarily one of my personal favorites; but Roy Lichtenstein is an iconic artist. I recall seeing a colossal sculpture of his in Barcelona, Spain. Many of the U. S. Embassies at which we have served have Lichtenstein prints on display.

Modern Sculpture with Apertures by Roy Lichtenstein (1967).

Because of our time living in Spain, I could not pass up the opportunity to capture Don Quixote and Sancho.

Don Quixote and Sancho by Boardman Robinson (1931).

One of my all-time favorite paintings at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts center is Ute Agency.  I love the intricate detail and the brilliant colors as depicted in the following details.

Detail from the Ute Agency painting by Paul Pletka.
Detail from the Ute Agency painting by Paul Pletka.
The courtyard at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.
A purple spiked ball.
A rusted spiked ball.
Detail of the courtyard.
Son and mom.
Detail of the purple spiked ball.
Metal sculpture outside the museum.

Following our museum visit, we had to have lunch at Jose Muldoon’s on Tejon Street.  I always enjoy sitting at one of the sidewalk tables and watching Colorado Springs go by.

View from a sidewalk table at Jose Muldoon’s restaurant.
A butterfly sculpture at Tejon and Platte in Colorado Springs.

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