Tonight: Moderating the Manifestos on Modernism

Is it modernist? Find out.

​The streamlined forms, the emphasis on planes and lines, the form-follows-function mentality: all tenets of architectural modernism. At the same time, though, it's not so easy to define what is modernism and what isn't -- a lot of schools of architecture could fall under the broad umbrella of modernism, and like the Bible, some of them contradict each other. The finer points of that argument are what will bring together a panel of some of Denver's architectural elites tonight.

The discussion, titled "Manifestos on Modernism," challenges its participants to define modernism for themselves and bring those little manifestos to the table as a jumping-off point for debate -- and the debate is likely to be lively: panelists comprise Joe Colistra, principle architect of ISD Architecture; Scott Lindenau, Design Principal of Studio B Architects; Jeffrey L. Sheppard, Design Principal of Roth + Sheppard Architects; and Ray Mark Rinaldi, Arts & Entertainment editor for the Denver Post. Moderating that clash of titans is -- here comes our shameless self-promotion -- esteemed Westword art critic Michael Paglia. Be warned, panelists: Michael Paglia does not tolerate bullshit.

It all goes down tonight at 6 p.m. in the most classification-defying structure this city has to offer, the Denver Art Museum's Hamilton Building, and with any luck, the panel will figure out once and for all what the hell is going on with that thing.Tickets are $20 at the door, but you can snag them for a cool $15 by emailing the Denver Art Museum's Design Council or calling 720-913-0044 to register in advance (in both cases tickets are $5 cheaper for DAM members).

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