Hello, my name is Kelly and I am in love with an art museum.

That museum would be the whimsical Denver Art Museum.

Spotting it from blocks away (and even from my hotel room window) I knew that I was going to enjoy the place.

The sharp, soaring, angular lines of glass and titanium that jut in every direction and the nonsensical geometric lines, were impossible to ignore. It was like a beacon, calling my name and daring me to come and see what was inside.

Dare: accepted.

The colossal structure is only half of the Denver Art Museum – the other (more demure) half is across a pedestrian walkway – and houses the modern and contemporary art collections.

I initially went to the museum for a tour of a special Yves Saint Laurent exhibit, courtesy of Visit Denver, as a pre-TBEX treat. Lucky me, I mixed up the time of the tour and arrived early.

This allowed me to wander through the YSL exhibit at my own pace and still have time to see more of the museum.

With dim lighting, spot lit pieces and a re-creation of the designer’s Paris studio, the exhibit transported me into YSL’s world.

As a long-time fan of YSL’s more irreverent and bold collections, I was thrilled to see many of them on display.

There was also and impressive room dedicated to YSL’s internationally influenced collections, based on traditional clothing from Morocco, Russia, Japan, Spain and India.

While the exhibit was wonderfully curated and much larger than I had expected, the rest of the museum was waiting.

Every floor, every corner, revealed something new. Sharp angles, sloping planes and unexpected dead ends turned the normal museum experience on its head.

People often say that you ‘can get lost in art,’ but here you actually can!

What’s more, the stark, erratic, sweeping white walls and superb lighting provided a perfect backdrop for the collection on display.

In that environment, I really did feel like I was a part of the art; that I was in the art.  It was one of the most exciting and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had in a museum.

And then (just as I was about reach Nirvana) I was approached by a security guard.  “We’re closing in five minutes miss, time to make your way downstairs,” he cooed.

Tears may have formed in my eyes. I felt like I had only just arrived – there was so much more to see!

I begrudgingly made my way down the stairs, but got distracted, by the stairs! (I mean, what place has stairs that can stop you in your tracks!?)

I stood there, gawking and snapping photos until yet another security guy prodded me to the door.

Outside, I sat on a bench and just stared at the museum’s façade. I was beyond impressed and regretted not arriving earlier in the day.

I already thought I’d like to come back to Denver at some point, but after running out of time in the museum, I know that I will; if only to get lost in the art.

*For more Photo Friday goodness, hop over to Delicious Baby!

**After participating in Photo Friday for ages, I finally got to meet the woman behind the movement, Deb Dubrow at TBEX. She was just as kind and lovely as I had imagined!

***My visit to the Denver Art Museum was made possible by Visit Denver. Thanks!