Curator Neville Wakefield’s Insider Guide to Aspen
The globetrotting curator’s new exhibition opens in the mountains of Colorado this weekend. Here are his picks for where to go when you get there.
Curator Neville Wakefield’s Insider Guide to Aspen
David Benjamin Sherry, Crown of the Continent, Montana, 2011, 2012.
Courtesy of the artist and Peres Projects, Berlin.
Courtesy of the artist and White Cube.
Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York.
Courtesy of the artist and Richard Prince Studio.
Courtesy of the artist and Blum & Poe, Los Angeles.
Courtesy of the artist and On Stellar Rays, New York.
The globetrotting curator Neville Wakefield has put on exhibitions everywhere from Gstaad to Marfa (and next year, a new biennial in the desert outside of Palm Springs). This Saturday, he heads to Aspen for “Mount Analogue,” a group exhibition Wakefield organized with Meredith Darrow featuring the likes of Richard Prince, Gerhard Richter, Sterling Ruby, and other artists who have a predilection for the slopes. Held at the Performance Ski shop, the show runs through August 14. Here, find Wakefield’s must-see stops in Aspen.
Silverpeak Dispensary Silverpeak dispensary is a distillation of the Aspen cliché, and not in a bad way—an expertly staffed, brightly lit emporium of locally grown, high-quality legal marijuana, as well as hemp products and accessories.
Ajax Tavern The patio at the Ajax Tavern is a perfect place to spend an afternoon outside, right off the hillside with a great view of the mountains.
Aspen Art Museum The Aspen Art Museum is always worth a visit; they’re opening a show of the elegant, inventive Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco on July 29th, and their annual summer benefit, ArtCrush, is the first week in August.
Matsuhisa If you’re in Aspen but still want Nobu without a reservation, try the upstairs lounge at Matsuhisa, which also has a great bar.
Woody Creek Tavern Woody Creek Tavern is a relaxed little saloon just outside of town, and was a favorite of Hunter S. Thompson’s, who lived nearby.
The J Bar The newly redone J Bar, in the landmarked Hotel Jerome on Main Street, makes great cocktails and is always lively.
The Maroon Bells The Maroon Bells, two 14,000 foot peaks a short drive out of town, and Maroon Lake below them, are iconic landmarks and the perfect place to hike. There’s a bus that takes hikers to the area in the summer.
Performance Ski Performance Ski is the best ski shop in Aspen in the winter, but starting July 16th it’ll be hosting the contemporary art exhibition Meredith Darrow and I have put together, “Mount Analogue.”
Poppycocks A straightforward little café that’s the perfect place for breakfast.
Victoria’s Another café, Victoria’s has excellent local coffee and snacks.
