A Little of Everything

A plethora of shows highlight the diversity of the Colorado aesthetic.

A A A Comments By Michael Paglia Thursday, Feb 24 2000

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Recent Acquisitions is by far the largest of the three shows at CU, comprised of nearly 150 pieces. "I hung everything salon-style, because I wanted to include as many things as possible," Krane says.

Since printmaking is a real strength of the Colorado Collection, it's not surprising that many of the best pieces in this show are prints. Among the standouts is a James Ensor etching from 1886 called "Christ Mocked," which looks newer than its date. Several prints, undated here but which are surely from the 1930s, are also of note, such as William Gropper's "Diogenes" and Raphael Soyer's "Untitled."

"Pine Forest," by Sushe Felix, acrylic on board.

"Dancing Couple," by John Storrs, painted concrete sculpture.

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Most of the prints are more recent, dating from the second half of the twentieth century and featuring some big names such as Robert Motherwell, Elsworth Kelly and Robert Indiana.

These pieces are from several substantial collections of modernist prints that were donated in their entirety to the Colorado Collection, including those of Mark and Polly Addison, Tamara and Ed Bryant and the Johns Manville Corporation. In addition, thirty Philippe Halsman photographs were donated by Allen and Kathy Goldstone, both of whom are CU graduates. The Halsmans, a series of emblematic 8x10 celebrity portraits in black and white, have been hung in a crowded cluster, but the collection really deserves an exhibit by itself.

There are only a few small three-dimensional objects on display, but one of them, "Dancing Couple," a painted concrete sculpture by John Storrs, is tremendous and among the finest things in the show. Though it is quite small, it has a charismatic quality that makes it appear almost monumental in its visual effect.

This trio of shows is worth seeing, because among them, there is something for everyone. Plus, it's always a treat to take in choice selections from the Colorado Collection, which does not have a permanent home and therefore rarely has a place to display its treasures. That is, at least until that proposed but unfunded museum is built.

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