Robert Klose standing next to an unfinished art piece. Photo by Cole Walters
By COLE WALTERS
The Ramspondents
Local Fort Collins artist Robert Klose is creating unique layered plywood art, described by him as topography art, that mixes physical and digital realities. With each part of his artistic process being unique, Klose brings a fresh perspective on art to Fort Collins’ vibrant community.
Klose’s process starts by designing each layer of his multilayer pieces digitally.
“So, it all starts in Adobe Illustrator,” Klose said. “I can take sections out and see it in 3D, but I don’t really see a piece in 3D until it is cut out. Each layer is sort of a heat map, and when I send this to the laser cutter, it follows the lines.”
Klose showing a layer of one of his designs. Photo by Cole Walters
After designing and sending each digital layer to his laser cutter, his art begins to take a physical form.
“It’s really exciting to make a piece for the first time, because even though I’ve seen the design for months, I haven’t seen it physically yet,” Klose said. “There’s all of the anticipation, and then I finally get to glue it up, spray, finish it, hang it on the wall, and then that’s what I really consider seeing the piece for the first time.”
After finishing the physical details of his pieces, he often creates a digital projection to accompany each piece. Since each design starts digitally, he can create intricate projections that follow each physical layer.
“This is like creating the digital piece and then bringing it into the physical space by using the digital component,” Klose said. “So both the digital and the physical in this style of projection come from the digital source. It is a little different than traditional mapping, where you would take a picture of a facade, bring it into a digital space, animate that and then project it onto the physical space.”
Klose began his journey as an artist in 2018 when his partner at the time bought a Glowforge, a desktop laser cutter. From there, he progressed from making tool holders for his shop to making small art pieces that he sold at brewery markets around town. After people suggested he should work on bigger markets, he stepped up his game and started making bigger pieces after buying a 4x8-foot cutting machine.
Since then, Klose’s art has been featured in numerous exhibitions, such as Sculpture in the Park in Loveland and the Crested Butte Arts Festival. His art has also been commissioned by Chipotle, Cheba Hut and the Denver Ballet.
Klose showcases the intricacies of a light fixture he created. Photo by Cole Walters
“Being an artist is all of these different things you’re trying to juggle,” Klose said. “It’s really like creating something stunning, beautiful–something that I can connect to and be inspired by. I created this process that pulls those things together physically and digitally.”
Cole Walters is a junior at Colorado State University majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Science Communication. He has a diverse background in journalism and communication, including social media, written journalism and photojournalism.
Fort Collins holiday lighting ceremony to take Friday, Nov. 7
By Maximus Vogt
The Ramspondents
Downtown Fort Collins will be illuminated with its annual holiday lights at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.
The lighting ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. with the band Guerilla Fanfare Brass playing music before and after the ceremony from 5:30 p.m.to 7 p.m. This year’s event will be sponsored by Fort Collins Connexion, a municipally and privately owned internet service provider.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. street closures will be in affect:
Walnut Street between College Avenue and Mountain Avenue.
Linden Street between Walnut and Jefferson Streets.
Mountain Avenue both directions between College Avenue and Remington Street.
Remington Street between Mountain Avenue and Oak. Street with access still available to the parking garage.
Expect a high volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic downtown before and after the event. Attendees are encouraged to use alternative modes of transportation and the MAX line.
The Old Town Garage at 209 E. Mountain Ave, Civil Center Garage at 120 N. Mason St. and Firehouse Alley parking at 125 Chestnut St. will all be available.
Besides sponsoring the event, the funding provided for the lighting program comes from the City of Fort Collins, the Downtown Development Authority and the Downtown General Improvement District.
Maximus Vogt is an art history major and journalism minor at CSU, active in fine art happenings on campus. He is interested in the intersection of art, community and news.
Fort Collins weather update, Oct. 27 to Nov. 2
From 2 A.M. to 10 A.M., on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Larimer County (below 6000 feet) is under a Freeze Warning for temperatures between 24 and 32 degrees.
From 10 P.M. to 10 A.M., on Tuesday, Oct. 28, through Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Freeze Warning will continue for Larimer County (below 6000 feet) for temperatures between 18 and 26 degrees.
Freezing conditions can kill crops, vegetation, and potentially damage outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect anything that may be affected by freezing temperatures.
Tuesday 10/28
Sunny with a high in the low 50’s and a frigid low in the 20’s. Little to no chance for precipitation.
Wednesday 10/29
Mostly sunny with a high in the high 50’s and a low in the 30’s. Little to no chance for precipitation.
Thursday 10/30
Mostly cloudy with a high in the high 50’s and a low in the 30’s. Little to no chance for precipitation.
Friday 10/31
Sunny with a high in the high 50’s and a low in the 30’s. Little to no chance for precipitation. It should be a clear, but slightly chilly evening for trick-or-treaters.
Saturday 11/1
Warmer and mostly sunny with a high in the 60’s and a low in the 40’s. Little to no chance for precipitation.
Sunday 11/2
Warm and mostly sunny with a high in the mid 70’s and a low in the 30’s. Little to no chance for precipitation.
Temperature and weather predictions are sourced from NWS Boulder and Accuweather.
Cole Walters is a junior at Colorado State University majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Science Communication. He has a diverse background in journalism and communication, including social media, written journalism and photojournalism.