The fine art exhibition "Death Without Borders" will open at the Given Institute in Aspen, Colo., on Friday, Feb. 22, featuring art by more than 20 artists focusing on the theme of death.
The exhibit runs through the end of May.
Curated by Professor George Rivera of the fine arts department at the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder, the exhibit will contain art from many viewpoints, including works by women, Chicanos and Asian-American artists. Several pieces in the show address the Sept. 11 tragedy and have helped the artists express their grief connected with that event.
Artists represented in the exhibit have garnered national and international acclaim. Professor Rivera is a 2002 recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
"Death Without Borders" was first presented in Mérida, Yucatán, México. Opening on the Day of the Dead in November 2001, the show was a cooperative effort between the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ at Boulder and the Cultural Institute of the Yucatán.Ìý
Several of the artists in the show traveled to Mérida for its opening and participated in conversations with participating Yucatecan artists and community members. The talks provided a forum for discussing the cultural differences between mainstream American culture and Latin-based cultures regarding the perception of death.
The Given Institute is an adjunct facility of the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ School of Medicine and has hosted national and international conferences for more than 25 years. In addition to conferences, the institute offers public lectures, seminars and workshops, providing an opportunity for the public to interact with many outstanding visiting faculty and guest lecturers.
All of the artists participating in the Given Institute show have ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ connections and 95 percent of them are faculty, students or alumni of the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥.Ìý
Participating artists include Mark Amerika, Ricky Armandariz, Wendy Babcox, Marlene Birr, Jerry De La Cruz, Dennis Dalton, Elizabeth Faulhaber, Carlos Fresquez, Quintin Gonzalez, Dan Henry, Ken Iwamasa, James McElhinney, David Norr, Tony Ortega, Melody Morrow Reeves, Garrison Roots, Antonette Rosato, Martha Russo, Kevin Salzman, George Rivera, Luis Valdovino and Maria Velasco.
For additional information on the show "Death Without Borders" and participating artists, please contact Professor Rivera at (303) 492-8374. For more information on the Given Institute, contact Janet Ferrara at (970) 925-1057 or visit the Web site at .