Spookadelia: The Fracture — the latest iteration of Spectra's perennial, immersive, ever-morphing exhibit — is a creep-fest. Cobwebs sag. Skeletons grin. Potions bubble. A cyclopean crow glares at passersby with its bulging eye.
So why isn't it as horrifying as it ought to be? Mostly because of the whimsical and dreamlike vibe that Spookadelia conjures. Designed collaboratively by numerous Denver artists, some of whom have shown work at Meow Wolf, the exhibit is part of the current trend of surreal, immersive gallery experiences. There's an underlying narrative that reveals itself, kind of, as attendees weave their way through tangles of cryptic sculptures and logic-bending features that dare — and expect — you to interact with them.
But where The Fracture sets itself apart is in the details. Spread between indoor and outdoor areas, the tableau teems with critters, contraptions and characters, both supernatural and adorable. Everything from modern touchscreens to vintage musical instruments — when's the last time you got your thumbs on a marimba? — that seem to pop out from every nook and cranny. It's a bandwidth-loading phantasmagoria in the best imaginable way. If Christmas in July is a thing, why not Halloween in springtime? You'll have that chance: Spectra has announced that the gallery will be extending Spookadelia's run until the end of April.
"We feel like this experience has a lot more to offer before it's time to update it again, and we would love to keep the spooky season going," says Spectra's Gallery Manager Heather Willmeng. "While we do rotate our immersive experiences very frequently, we always do our best to have an immersive experience open any time of year and have it running long enough that everyone has a chance to experience the space before it changes again. Given that the experience spans both indoors and outdoors, I feel like having Spookadelia run through multiple seasons can offer a unique experience any time guests visit our space."
Spookadelia: The Fracture, Spectra Art Space, 1836 South Broadway, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through April 30, $12-$35, all ages. For tickets and more info, visit spectraartspace.com.
