i+D - November/December 2021 - 18

Design
Pulse
Aspen,
Colorado
" Artists like James Surls, Brad Reed Nelson, Jody Guralnick, and dozens
of other local creatives have taught, lectured, or exhibited here-and still
come to liaise with our students and other visitors regularly, " Waanders notes.
Recognizing that Aspen is a place that's rich in both scenery and cultural
opportunities, Waanders says he's so proud to work with his peers at other local
non-profits. " It's truly a place where creative types can be inspired and succeed
in their own creative endeavors, " he says. " There is always a special exhibition,
concert, screening, or lecture to attend, and if you're drawn to artistic expression,
you can always find something to do, and like-minded people to do it with. "
ArtCrush and Pitkin Projects
Many think of Aspen/Snowmass as the ultimate winter destination for its
optimal skiing conditions, but actually, there's a vibrant cultural scene
year-round, including Aspen Filmfest, the Food & Wine Classic, Aspen Music
Festival and School, and Aspen Art Museum's wildly popular ArtCrush.
" There is so much to do in Aspen in the summer, and it is such a spectacular
setting, " says ArtCrush co-chair Jamie Tisch, who also launched Pitkin
Projects, a highly curated concept gallery/design shop that features artists and
artisans from around the world.
" Aspen is such a culturally dense town with great food, performances,
speakers, and more. Major architects and designers from all over the world
have projects here; there has been a need and want for design, " says Tisch,
who has worked with local artists while renovating and selling houses in
Aspen for the past eight years. " There is a great community of collectors,
dealers, artists, and makers in Aspen. To have like minds in the art world
descend on Aspen for a week in August [for ArtCrush] creates wonderful
creative energy. "
The admission-free, non-collecting Aspen Art Museum annually hosts
ArtCrush, a highly anticipated week of events each summer that culminates
in a live auction and gala. When ArtCrush 2020 was canceled due to the
pandemic, Tisch-who very much has her pulse on the art and design
scene in town-channeled her energy into a new endeavor: Pitkin Projects.
Collaborating with different artists and gallerists including Salon 94,
Ago Projects, Hostler Burrows, Blum and Poe, Darrow Contemporary, and
Friedman Benda, Tisch began curating an eclectic assemblage of art and wares
from Mexico, Colombia, Italy, the UK, as well as across the United States
and locally in Aspen. " I have been able to curate special pieces with artists
just for Aspen as well as with Aspen artists. For instance, Aspen artist Jody
Guralnick hand-painted beautiful drink trays just for us-chic usable pieces
reflecting nature, " Tisch says. " I source the things that I like and would
want-and have-in my own homes. "
Pitkin Projects quickly became a local favorite when it opened in July 2020
to a design community that was starved for a creative outlet. What was
intended to be just a pop-up lived on as a dedicated design shop, which will
reopen in Aspen next summer, and Tisch is in the process of working on a
special project for Pitkin Projects in LA to open in early 2022.
DANINE ALATI
is a freelance writer and editor with a
focus on lifestyle and design content.
Her work has appeared in Architectural
Digest online, DuJour magazine, Galerie
magazine, Contract magazine, and Home
Design & Decor, among other outlets.
Soldner Ceramics Center comprises
more than 10,000 square feet across
three buildings on the five-acre campus to
provide ample space for Anderson Ranch's
comprehensive ceramics program.
(Image: Courtesy of Anderson Ranch Arts Center)
Jamie Tisch sourced this
chair and table, designed
by Brooklyn-based artist
Misha Kahn, from Friedman
Benda gallery in New York to
include in Pitkin Projects.
(Image: Courtesy of Pitkin Projects)
18
i+D - November/December 2021
i+D - November/December 2021

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