Join us in welcoming Anthony Kiendl to Denver. He comes to the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver after curating boundary-pushing programs at art institutions like the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Banff Centre, building a career rooted in living artists and ideas off the beaten path. We caught up with the new director during his first week on the job, and here’s what he had to say.
Taking stock: “I’ve been enjoying exploring Denver’s art scene since moving here. I’ve visited the Denver Art Museum and seen some of the city’s prolific public art, but I still have a long list of places to check out. The scene feels incredibly diverse and wide-ranging, with a vibrant grassroots creative community, and I especially appreciate the abundance of live music.”
Early ambitions: “I’m first allowing myself time to explore and understand. Because at MCA, we are taking something that’s already amazing and moving it to the next level. I want to continue presenting historically significant exhibitions that have distinguished us, and I’m especially proud of our teen art program, which is second to none. But I’d also like to expand MCA’s publishing efforts and raise its profile regionally, nationally, and internationally.”
“I Want to explore the unexplored.”—Anthony Kiendl
Decentering the art world: “As a result of economics and communications, larger centers like New York and Paris naturally garner the most attention. Those centers are undeniable, but it doesn’t mean that interesting art isn’t being created and exhibited outside of those hubs. I’ve dedicated my career to amplifying the voices of the artists that might otherwise be on the periphery. I want to explore the unexplored.”
Keeping it contemporary: “In working with living artists, we are working with living ideas. That creates an excitement, spark, and relevance that is hard to replicate when the artist is no longer with us.”
A global point of view: “I’ve been inspired by museums throughout the world, and I would list MCA among those. And I’m not just saying that. That’s what drew me here seven or so years ago for my first visit. I’m often intrigued by smaller spaces that punch above their weight, like MCA. Some of the most inspiring museums I’ve visited during my travels are the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the South London Gallery, Camden Art Centre in London, M HKA, Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, Tai Kwun in Hong Kong, Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal, and SITE Santa Fe.”
Birthday party: “To celebrate our 30th anniversary and Colorado’s sesquicentennial, we’re presenting a major exhibition featuring artists from across the state running July 24 through November 1.”
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