Denver Art Museum
announces Luncheon By Design fundraiser to benefit
exhibition Biophilia: Nature Reimagined, opening summer 2024
Renowned architect Jeanne Gang will present how design and
nature align in her firm’s Populus Hotel project DENVER
The Denver Art Museum (DAM) will present one of its most anticipated
annual fundraisers, Luncheon by Design, on May 9, 2024.
Since its inception in 2009, Luncheon by Design has been a
not-to-be-missed annual gathering of Denver’s design and
creative community, presenting renowned speakers from the
fields of architecture, interiors, fashion and design.
This year’s event will explore the integration of design and
nature, in celebration and support of the upcoming
exhibition Biophilia: Nature Reimagined.
The inspired presentation features acclaimed architect
Jeanne Gang, founding partner of international architecture
and urban design practice Studio Gang. Gang will share an
array of compelling projects around the world – and now in
Denver – that underscore how she uses design to strengthen
connections between people, communities, and nature. Studio
Gang (studiogang.com) is headquartered in Chicago with
offices in New York, San Francisco and Paris.
The firm’s highly anticipated projects include Populus, a
hotel just steps from the Denver Art Museum. Its distinctive
window shapes are informed by the characteristic patterns
found on Aspen trees (Populus tremuloides), a widely
recognizable symbol of Colorado’s natural splendor.
In addition, Studio Gang was recently selected to lead the
Phase 1 Implementation of Civic Center Next 100, a concept
plan for Civic Center Park’s next century.
Phase 1 will include improvements to the Greek Theater and
Central Promenade, re-establishing an inclusive, innovative
space for community in the heart of the city.
“We’re delighted to have Jeanne Gang at this important moment for Denver’s
Civic Center Park and the Golden Triangle neighborhood, as
the studio’s work on this project and the Populus Hotel is a
natural fit with the museum’s presentation of Biophilia,”
said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of
the DAM.
“The designs and elements of Biophilia reflect on our innate
bonds with nature through inspired works of architecture,
art and design that evoke the structures and phenomena found
in the natural world.”
Funds from Luncheon by Design support Biophilia: Nature
Reimagined, which opens at the DAM May 5. Biophilia brings
together more than 70 imaginative works, including
architectural models and photographs, objects, fashion,
digital installations and immersive art experiences that
collectively highlight the transformative power of nature.
Biophilia will be on view from May 5 through August 11,
2024, in the museum’s Anschutz and Martin & McCormick
galleries on level 2 of the Hamilton Building and is
included in general admission.
“This multi-sensory exhibition explores humanity’s
instinctive desire to connect with the natural world through
architecture, art, and design,” said Darrin Alfred, Curator
of Architecture & Design for the DAM.
“Iris van Herpen, Studio Gang, teamLab, Joris Laarman, and
DRIFT are among the trailblazing designers and artists
featured in Biophilia.” Luncheon by Design begins with a
networking reception in Sturm Grand Pavilion at 11:30AM,
followed by a seated lunch at noon.
The program includes an introduction by Darrin Alfred,
Curator of Architecture and Design. The keynote presentation
will conclude by 1:30PM. Following the program, attendees
are invited to meet Jeanne Gang while taking in the latest
iteration of the Ellen Bruss Design Studio: an in depth
exploration into the creative process behind Populus that
features sketches, renderings, models, and a scale mockup of
the hotel’s inventive window design.
Attendees are also encouraged to view Biophilia in its
opening week (luncheon tickets include all-day access to the
museum).
Gang’s forthcoming book, The Art of Architectural Grafting,
will be available for onsite purchase and signing.
Other hallmark examples of Studio Gang’s work include the
Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation
at the American Museum of Natural History (New York) and the
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (Little Rock), which
demonstrate how design can learn from nature to create
inspiring places for people to gather and learn.
Luncheon by Design is co-chaired by Liz Richards, Art Ellsworth and Marvin
Wilkinson, and supported by an enthusiastic committee.
The event is co-presented by Amanda J. Precourt and John
Brooks, Inc. Additional support for this signature event
includes media partner Modern in Denver.
Table sponsorships and VIP tickets are available now.
Individual tickets will go on sale April 1. Please contact
Violet Mantell with questions and sponsorship inquiries at
vmantell@denverartmuseum.org
Planning Your Visit The most up-to-date information on
planning a visit to the Denver Art Museum can be found
online under the Plan Your Visit tab.
Use this page t find details on ticket pricing, public transit options and
access information. General admission for museum members is
free every day. Youth aged 18 and under receive free general
admission everyday thanks to the museum’s Free for Kids
program.
Free for Kids also underwrites free admission for school and
youth group visits. About the Denver Art Museum The Denver
Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks
creative thinking and expression through transformative
experiences with art.
Its mission is to enrich lives by sparking creative thinking
and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and
provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about
cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique
funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts,
culture and scientific organizations.
For museum information, visit
www.denverartmuseum.org
or call 720-865-5000. Media Resources Online Newsroom:
www.denverartmuseum.org/press Facebook: www.facebook.com/denverartmuseum
Instagram: www.instagram.com/denverartmuseum/ Museum B-roll:
www.denverartmuseum.org/broll Media Contacts Andy
Sinclair/Press Office Denver Art Museum
720-913-0096/719-761-9390 asinclair@denverartmuseum.org or
pressoffice@denverartmuseum.org Image Credits: Image 1:
Studio Gang’s Populus hotel, currently under construction,
is designed to activate the corner of 14th and Colfax in
downtown Denver. Rendering © Studio Gang. Image 2: American
Museum of Natural History Richard Gilder Center, New York. ©
Iwan Baan |