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Phil Bender collects objects full of familiarity and nostalgia, objects that tap into our memories- collects them in bulk and lays them out or lines them up, sometimes filling single picture frames, other times entire rooms, it just depends on the size of the object. The repetition is like a hammer, tapping out and repeating "remember, remember, remember". Some people complain about his art because it seems easy, hanging a bunch of like objects together- it seems to lack skill, but as any frequenter of thrift stores, garage sales or dumpsters will tell you- collecting a lot of the same thing from those sources is time consuming and difficult.
And if anyone has the patience for that kind of work, it's Bender. He's one of those guys who seems completely at ease at all times, patient and completely unflappable. But on May 6, the many friends and fans of this Denver artist/institution -- the man who helped found the Pirate Gallery and has kept it sailing for almost 30 years -- will gather to try and push his ever-present calm a little off-kilter. The gathering place is Belmar Lab, the occasion is the closing of Benders current show Last Place and the method is an old-fashioned roast. After 30 years on the Denver art scene there's bound to be some great quips and stories ripe for roasting, plus there's a cash bar to help jog the memories and loosen the toungues. It all starts up at 7pm and the roast/closing is free, but you'll need to go to belmarlab.org to register.
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