Three Questions with
KEN BLOOM

Ken Bloom became the director of the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art on May 7. Previously, he developed and ran a contemporary art gallery in Texas, and ran an artist program at Texas Tech.

What have your largest challenges been and what plans do you have for the museum?

The largest challenge is the ongoing challenge of contemporary nonprofit arts programming, which is to always remain relevant and current in the eyes of the community. We want to focus and quality and set the standard for contemporary art. That requires a participation of a large number of stakeholders such as members, community, artists, patrons, staff and professional supporters. It's maintaining an edge so to speak. It's not so different than running any other business. I'm convinced the theater is central to our program. My interest is developing it. Performance and contemporary art are fully intertwined, so we really have to think of them as working together.

What was your first impression of Boulder's art scene?

It's diverse. I think that's common nationally now. In comparison to Texas, the geographical concentration of artists is in a smaller area. The interpersonal dynamics are easier. It's easier for people to get together and interact. The landscape and environment seem to condition the production. I've learned environment has some condition in the sense that it does something. There are traditions, too. Before Texas, I was in North Carolina, which was a more narrative tradition. In Texas, descriptive, while here it seems more conceptual.

What are your personal tastes in art?

It's easier to say who than what. I respond to artists whose work responds to elements where symbols come from primitive sources, where textures and forms tend to be very organic. I also like work that is reflective of social and political interests. I have a broad range of tastes, really.

--Sean Weaver

FLIP SIDE

Film Notes

The bold and the beautiful turned out for the Telluride International Experimental (TIE) Cinema Exposition's fundraiser, Cinema Jou Jou, on June 2 at Jou Jou Restaurant, located in the swanky Hotel Teatro on 14th Street.

The occasion was more than a mere fundraiser-- legendary experimental filmmaker and longtime CU-Boulder professor Stan Brakhage premiered a film titled "Micro-Garden" and screened three others for a dinnertime crowd including such local celebrities as Celebrity Tattoo's owner Zeke Pusateri and Jou Jou chef Kevin Taylor. This was a momentous premiere for Brakhage, as he has recently announced his upcoming retirement, and "Micro-Garden" could be his last film for quite some time ... possibly ever.

Brakhage's work is created by painting on film stock and transferring the images to create a rhythmic, layered, moving painting ... "visual music" as he calls it. In between films, he explained how his work has been inspired by such abstract painters as Jackson Pollock (along with several somewhat obscure Canadian artists), and that his work attempts to recreate the miracle of hypnogogic vision-- those little spots you get as a kid when you rub your eyes. Brakhage calls it "the movie theatre in your mind," and his work deals with the fascinating possibilites of internal discovery and imagination. The films, which do indeed resemble moving Pollock paintings, have a hypnotic effect-- being set without a soundtrack of any kind, they train the viewer to tune into the music of the visual, and follow flashing silent rhythms of image. This is film taken to a new plateau as art.

The food was exquisite; the wine was free; and the post-premiere entertainment was pumping and went late into the evening. Firebreathers and musicians kept the atmosphere lively, and the stately dinner crowd quickly opened up into a large parade of Denver's most fashionable freaks and costume lovers. It was one of the only times Denver has ever managed to feel like London.

The TIE festival itself is happening at the end of October. You can get more information about the festival by logging on to www.experimentalcinema.com

--Chris J. Magyar

Local Music

The Soiled Dovewill host a benefit concert for the Make A Wish Foundation June 7. A whole host of Denver's finest will pitch in to help. The Make AWish Foundation formed in 1980 and grants wishes to kids younger than 18 diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. This is the third year for the "Sound of a Wish" benefit event, and we all know each one of us should be at this show. Performers include Blister 66, Rocket Ajax, Brethren Fast, Judge Roughneck, Kristina Ingham, To Each His Own and Greenhaus. Comedian Patrick Bunn will MC the show. For more info and exact line-up call 303-299-0100. To get involved, www.wish.org

The Art Students League of Denver's Summer Art Market is set for June 9 and 10 at its lovely building at 200 Grant Street. Along with artwork and crafts for sale to the public, this free event will feature some of Denver's great acoustic and solo musical acts. On the bill are none other than Greg Goodloe, Christly Wessler, The Bryon James Band, Kevin Dooley, Tim Edwards, Pete Kartsounes, Cottonwood, and yours truly, Judy B., although I might bring my last name along for this one. The facility provides yearlong programs in an enriching and creative environment for artistic expression through dialogue, instruction and active learning. See more at www.asld.org

Denver Mayor Wellington Webb has been bitten by the jazz bug, so much so that he's organized an entire event in his name. This will be the first year of Mayor Webb's Jazz Festival in which the city of Denver sponsors and promotes a music festival at Red Rocks. During the weekend of June 8, 9, and 10, a wide variety of jazz cats of all stripes will perform. Said Andrew Hudson from the Mayor's Office of Theatres and Arenas, "If you have never been a fan of jazz, but want to learn more about the music, this festival has something for everyone." Performers include Will Downing, Ronnie Laws Jazz Allstars, Dotsero, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Arturo Sandoval, Conjunto Colores, Diane Reeves (graduate of GW high school) and Hazel Miller. Tickets available through Ticketmaster (303-830-TIXS). More info on the Mayor's Office at www.denvergov.org/mayor