The Denver Museum of Nature & Science Hosts Acclaimed Performance Artist James Luna

Luna to Present a Performative Lecture and Premiere His Unique Art Installation at the Museum

DENVER-August 10, 2012- Acclaimed performance artist James Luna is coming to Denver and bringing his important perspective on themes related to American Indian stereotypes and history. Luna, a Pooyukitchchum/Ipai native and powerful force in performance art today, will present a performative lecture and premiere a unique art installation created specifically for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's Crane North American Indian Cultures Hall.

For 30 years, Luna has produced a variety of works of art that illustrate his artistic, social, and political commentary, and his push to develop and expand his work. Luna's stories are humorous and painful at the same time. The stories are about more than just Indian people; they are also about the strife, misconceptions, and comodification of ethnicity in America. Luna deals with the realities of race from an insider's view.

James Luna Presents Phantasmagoria, A Performative Lecture

Thursday, August 23, 7 p.m., $12 member, $15 nonmember

James Luna will present a performative lecture at the Museum in which visitors will not only see his work but also experience his take on performance and installation artworks, using monologues, visual examples, and antics.  For more information and to register, click here.

James Luna Presents Making Do: Performance and Installation Premiere

Wednesday, October 3, or Friday, October 5, 7 p.m. $15 member, $18 nonmember

This special evening includes a performance by Luna, a chance to see the new installation Making Do-which explores what Luna considers a survival skill developed by his California Indian peoples to endure a post-contact world-and an artist's reception (cash bar).  For more information and to register, click here.

To learn more about James Luna, click here for an article written by Museum anthropologist Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh.

Press Contact

Charlotte Hurley, charlotte.hurley@dmns.org / 303.370.6407

About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205.  To learn more about the Museum, check www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000.
 
# # #

Many of the Museum's educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.