Space Is the Place | Denver Art Museum

Space is a place where designers and artists find endless inspiration. The Space Age ignited a collective fascination with the stars, inspiring bold visions of the future. The exhibition Space Is the Place: Art & Design in the Atomic Age navigates an era when artists and designers turned their gaze skyward, channeling the optimism, anxiety, and curiosity that defined the mid-20th century.

Fueled by rapid technological advancements and the thrill of space exploration, the era gave rise to visionary forms, from sleek plastic furnishings to dynamic compositions. Discover the Space Age through a dynamic display of furniture, accessories, painting, and sculpture, revealing the cosmos as the ultimate muse.

Futuristic TV screen in the shape of an astronaut's helmet — JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.) Yokohama, Japan, established 1927. *Videosphere/Space Helmet TV (Model 3240 GM),* 1970. Molded plastic, acrylic, metal, and chrome-plated metal; 14 x 10 ¼ in. The Collection of The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum, K2004.0009

Gray futuristic-looking synthetic chair — Peter Ghyczy, *Garden Egg Chair,* 1968. Lacquered molded polyurethane with synthetic textile upholstery over polyurethane foam padding; 39 ½ x 29 x 34 in. Probably manufactured by VEB Synthesewerk, East Germany. The Collection of The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum, K2003.0184

Red circular handheld radio on a chain — Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Ltd./Panasonic. Kadoma, Osaka, Japan, established 1918. *Panapet Radio (Model R-70),* 1970. Plastic and metal; 4 ¼ in. The Collection of The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum, K2007.0137

Metal chair with red cushions and antennae-like shapes — Charles Deaton, *Antennae Chair*, early 1960s, assembled 1999. Metal, plastic, and upholstery. Fabricated by Custom Art Industries/Gordon McKeeta, Denver, established around 1950. The Collection of The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum: Gift of John J. Huggins, K2002.0019.

Purple half-spherical chair — Pierre Paulin, *Ribbon Chair (Model 582),* 1965–66. Wood, steel, upholstery, and foam; 29 x 38 ½ x 30 in. Manufactured by Artifort, Maastricht, Netherlands. The Collection of The Kirkland at the Denver Art Museum, K2012.0190

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Scientific and Cultural Facilities District: We Fund Culture

Space Is the Place: Art & Design in the Atomic Age is organized by The Kirkland. Support is provided by Merle Chambers, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

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