Space & Time - Libeskind, Van Gogh and Doctor Who

 

Van Gogh, Self Portrait with Straw Hat 1887

 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing "Becoming Van Gogh" at the Denver Art Museum.  The exhibition showed the evolution of the artist as he moved through his self training progressing from early monochromatic work with pencil and paint to his final works of brilliant color and amazing brush work.  The drawings and paintings in their chronological order gave a rare glimpse of time elapsed in his short and brilliant growth leading to the conclusion of his art and life.

The setting of the exhibition was equally as brilliant.  The Denver Art Museum designed by the Architect Daniel Libeskind is a wonder of sculptural space that allows you to wander through the asymmetrical galleries and passages in a state of continuous visual intrigue and surprise that seems beyond any specific time stamp.  With a snowstorm in progress muting the afternoon light the windows had a quiet beauty that added to atmosphere and mood of the exhibition.

                                         

                                                                                                                                                                        Denver Art Museum Window

 

In preparation for the showing and being a believer in diverse influences and interpretations I watched one of the best Doctor Who episodes on Vincent Van Gogh written by Richard Curtis and Jonny Campbell.  Amy and the Doctor travel in time to meet the artist in an attempt to help him deal with a particular tormentor only visible to Vincent but known of by the Doctor.  The best part of the episode is where the three characters are lying in a field viewing the night sky while Vincent explains what he sees and feels in nature and where Starry Night is beautifully rendered by the programs special effects.  Equally powerful is when the Doctor and Amy take Vincent through time to view his own exhibition in 2010 Paris where he sees and hears of his place in the history of art.  An amazing piece of programming that puts a very rare and graceful spin on beauty and timelessness.

 

 

Vincent Van Gogh played by Tony Curran on Dr. Who.