The mile high city seems to have public art springing up on every corner these days. Check out some of these innovative works:
The Big Blue Bear
“I See What You Mean” by Lawrence Argent
(Corner of 14th Street and Stout Street)
At the Denver convention center a big blue bear sculpted in geometric angles towers 40 feet high against the convention center’s glass walls. Seeming to peer through the glass, this bear is a downtown icon. Made from composite materials, its form was extrapolated from 3D digital images then built from over 4,000 interlocking concrete and polymer triangles.
Horse on Chair
“The Yearling” by Donald Lipski
(14th Avenue at Acoma Street)
Horse lovers will delight in this sculpture of Alice in Wonderland proportions. Outside the public library and near the Denver Art Museum, a painted horse surveys the scene from atop a giant red steel chair. Originally commissioned for an elementary school in Manhattan, the sculpture ended up instead in New York City’s Central Park after the school distract asked the artist to remove the horse, which he refused to do. After that it ended up in Denver.
Stabbed and Bleeding Heart
“Toxic Schizophrenia” by Tim Noble & Sue Webster
(near the corner of 15th Street and Delgany Street)
Perhaps the most flashy sculpture of all in downtown Denver, this glowing, rotating heart with a sword stabbed through its center has blood that actually blinks as it drips from the sword that punctured it. You’ll find it in front of the ultra-modern Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver.
The Evil Mustang
“Mustang” by Luis Jimenez
(Peña Boulevard at DEN Airport)
This sculpted mustang is one of the first sights you’ll see in Denver as you exit the airport. Rearing up on its hind legs with glowing ruby red demon-like eyes, it stands 32 feet tall and weighs 9,000 pounds. Sadly it killed the artist who created it when its head fell on him, severing an artery in his leg. Welcome to Denver!
