Alice Denney
Encyclopedia
Alice Denney is a curator and arts administrator. To some, she is considered to be the grande dame of the Washington, D.C.
avant-garde
and the mentor to a number of Washington's artists and arts administrators. She was the first director of the Jefferson Place Gallery
, intimately involved in the founding of the Washington Gallery of Modern Art
, and founder of the Washington Project for the Arts
.
She helped with the exhibition "The Popular Image", which included Robert Rauschenberg
's "Concerto #5", with the Judson Dance Theater
.
She brought the exhibit "Punk Art", to the WPA, in 1978.
A DVD celebrating the life of Alice Denney, a major influence on the avant-garde"
"An interview of Alice Denney conducted by Walter Hopps for the National Museum of American Art. Denney speaks of her organization of two Washington, D.C. art happenings: the "Pop Festival," held in conjunction with an exhibition, "The Popular Image," sponsored by the Washington Gallery of Modern Art, April 18 - May 1, 1966; and the "Now Festival," April 26 - May 1, 1966."
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
and the mentor to a number of Washington's artists and arts administrators. She was the first director of the Jefferson Place Gallery
Jefferson Place Gallery
The Jefferson Place Gallery was an art gallery in Washington, DC. It was founded in 1957 as a coalition of American University artists and others: Robert "Bob" Gates, Helene Herzbrun, and Ben "Joe" Summerford. Helene Herzbrun was a partner until 1961. Alice Denney was the first director...
, intimately involved in the founding of the Washington Gallery of Modern Art
Washington Gallery of Modern Art
The Washington Gallery of Modern Art was a short-lived gallery promoting contemporary art near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC, USA, during the 1960s. Its collection of 153 works was purchased by the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in 1968 for $110,000...
, and founder of the Washington Project for the Arts
Washington Project for the Arts
Washington Project for the Arts, founded in 1975, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and aid of artists in the Washington, D.C. area.-History:...
.
She helped with the exhibition "The Popular Image", which included Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist who came to prominence in the 1950s transition from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art. Rauschenberg is well-known for his "Combines" of the 1950s, in which non-traditional materials and objects were employed in innovative combinations...
's "Concerto #5", with the Judson Dance Theater
Judson Dance Theater
Judson Dance Theater was an informal group of dancers who performed at the Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village, Manhattan New York City between 1962 and 1964. It grew out of a dance composition class taught by Robert Dunn, a musician who had studied with John Cage...
.
She brought the exhibit "Punk Art", to the WPA, in 1978.
Sources
- A Tribute to Alice Denney, 50 Years of Life and Work in the Avante-Garde, by Maia Gatcheva, May 9, 2006
A DVD celebrating the life of Alice Denney, a major influence on the avant-garde"
- Oral history interview with Alice Denney, 1976 May 13 1 sound cassette.
"An interview of Alice Denney conducted by Walter Hopps for the National Museum of American Art. Denney speaks of her organization of two Washington, D.C. art happenings: the "Pop Festival," held in conjunction with an exhibition, "The Popular Image," sponsored by the Washington Gallery of Modern Art, April 18 - May 1, 1966; and the "Now Festival," April 26 - May 1, 1966."