The Denver Art Museum’s Precourt Gallery is always one of the institution’s best surprises. It’s a family-friendly space, located halfway up the Hamilton Building’s quirky central staircase, and it is programmed with the work of local artists, who don’t otherwise get a lot of real estate at this internationally-minded art haven.
Right now, the gallery is featuring Denver artist Chris Bagley’s “Space Command,” an interactive installation with a nostalgic, sci-fi edge. Bagley is something of a mad inventor who creates, in his own words, “visual scapes.” For this piece, he combined found objects — astronaut helmets, kitchen utensils, out-dated electronics, digital projections, recycled mylar and other unexpected raw materials — to create a stage set that feels like an other-worldly way station in some far-off galaxy.
Museums visitors are invited to marvel at “Space Command’s” clever concoctions, but also to push its buttons, turns its dials and peer into its vintage video monitors.
Bagley has a diverse resume that includes multimedia installations, film documentaries and music videos, as well as contributions to Denver’s public art collection and Meow Wolf’s indoor theme park. We asked him a few questions about his new work at DAM.
Q: The Denver Art Museum is full of objects that people love, scores of paintings, sculptures, artifacts and textiles. But can you help us categorize “Space Command?” What is it?
A: “Space Command” is an amalgamation of repurposed objects that form an interactive environment. I intentionally left the meaning of the installation somewhat ambiguous to help viewers unlock their own imaginations.
Q: Tell us about some of the raw materials in the piece.
I find that used cooking implements, such as muffin tins and industrial mixing bowls, make for believable space-age interiors. The title “Space Command” comes from a 1950s Zenith television remote control — which is also included in the exhibition.
Q: Can you pick two or three elements in it and tell us what they are? Or what they might be?
A: Several interactive audio and video elements give participants the option of deeper dives into the experience. That gives both children and adults the opportunity to create their own sense of play.
Q: A project like this does not happen overnight. You must have been collecting things for a long time. Where do you find them and how do you store them?
A: Scrapyards, garage/estate sales, thrift stores. Warehousing raw materials has always been a challenge. I no longer keep everything.
Q: One thing I like about the work is that it feels timeless. Nostalgic and futuristic at the same time. Do you think of it as existing in the past, the present, or in some far-off moment in time?
A: I was cherry-picking non-problematic features from different eras to convey a sense of timelessness. I appreciate your recognizing that. The past always informs the future.
Q: Give us some advice on how to approach “Space Command.” It certainly offers opportunities and experiences that are different from DAM’s usual attractions.
A: Hopefully creating a framework around the mysterious and unknown aspects of space makes them more approachable and encourages interaction.
Q: Now, please tell us about you. First and foremost: “Star Wars” or “Star Trek?”
A: Growing up, I was wearing “Star Trek” pants with a “Star Wars” belt. It’s a big enough universe for both.
Q: How do you define your artistic practice?
A: My creative output manifests itself in numerous ways, making it difficult to define.
Q: What is the weirdest thing you have made? Or you could tell us the most important thing. Or maybe both.
A: The most important thing I’ve done has involved documenting others in the creative community.
The weirdest: My good friend Jon Firestone helped me build a remote-controlled electric wheelchair.
Q: I have to ask, “Space Command” is hands-on. It is bound to get pushed over and pulled apart, clobbered at and slobbered on. What is the plan for maintaining it?
A: It’s monitored daily and, with luck, bodily fluids won’t be a problem.
Q: Bonus round: Pick one of the following questions and answer it: What is your favorite video game, past or present, or who is your favorite famous artist, living or dead?
A: I’m not much of a gamer, but my recently acquired tabletop Pong game that resided for many years in Casa Bonita’s arcade is hard to beat.
Q: Last chance: What else do you want us to know about you, or about “Space Command?”
A: An impossible question, but l’m frequently inspired by Charles and Ray Eames because they didn’t limit themselves. The museum recognizes that installations of this sort have validity, even among the more traditional aspects expected by its guests.
IF YOU GO
“Space Command” at the Denver Art Museum. Info: 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org.
