A Little Wonder in the Galleria: Meet the Arts Complex Zoetrope
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Audiences gather at the Denver Performing Arts Complex for Broadway shows, stunning ballet performances and more - but it’s also a space that’s a cornerstone to Downtown Denver. At DAV, we look for opportunities to invite the community to enjoy the Arts Complex beyond performances.
“We wanted more play and engagement in the Galleria,” said Peter Dearth, arts complex programming manager. “So when we discovered Colorado-based father and daughter artist team, Eric and Megan Ryterski, we knew we needed to partner together to create a little wonder.”
Ryterski Wonders is an artist team consisting of Meghan Ryterski and Eric Ryterski (Meghan's dad), based in Louisville, Colorado. Before starting Ryterski Wonders, Meghan designed control systems for the water utility industry, and Eric designed medical devices. At the end of 2022, the stars aligned, and Meghan and Eric founded Ryterski Wonders to use their technical expertise to bring joy and whimsy to the world.
After months of collaboration, we are thrilled to welcome a new magical element in the Galleria - a zoetrope, which is a pre-film animation device that produces the illusion of motion from a series of static drawings, featuring aspects of DAV’s impact within the city.
“To create a 3D zoetrope, we start with a brainstorming session to come up with as many character ideas as we can (the crazier the better),” said Meghan Ryterski. “Once we decide which characters to use, we sketch them on paper to create a storyboard. Each character is then modeled and animated. Once the entire scene is modeled and animated, each character is 3D-printed and attached to a circular board. Typically, this involves printing and mounting around 250 unique characters.”
More of a visual learner? Check out the zeotrope in action below!
“We really enjoyed conceptualizing and storyboarding this idea of animating some of our favorite Denver Public Art ‘characters' from around the Arts Complex and making them into conductors, actors, singers and dancers,” said Dearth. “When you open the doors to our Magic Canopy, you will hear an orchestra tuning, then as the stage floor begins to spin, the sound is replaced with a lively classical score, which will eventually feature a soundtrack from the Colorado Symphony.”
"We were excited to collaborate with the Ryterski team to include a few pieces inspired by Denver's Public Art collection in the downtown area," said Jeannene Bragg, Denver's public art director. "From the iconic 'I See What You Mean' blue bear to the Botero statues that are a staple at the Arts Complex - it's fun to see our city's art reimagined."
The zoetrope at the Arts Complex is free and open to the public. There are three secret button codes posted on the inside doors - one of which makes the whole animation go backwards.
“We hope that it becomes a destination for free family fun, a pre-show activity for the Arts Complex and a place to take out-of-town friends,” said Meghan Ryterski. “We hope that this zoetrope brings joy, magic and enthusiasm for the arts to the people who come across it.”
Check out Ryterski Wonders’ other zoetropes as well, and we’ll see you at the Arts Complex soon!