Jonathan Borofsky's Dancers Sculpture is 60 feet tall and people in Denver either love it or despise it. Though it is supposed to be "artistic," most locals I spoke with refer to it as the "Dancing Aliens" sculpture.
According to www.andthenwesaved.com, "right around the corner from the Denver Convention Center and right behind the Denver Performing Arts Complex (are) two dancers (who) were the most hated public art in town until the raging blue mustang came on the scene."
When I was down by the Convention Center last month, I kind of liked the graceful dancers. I thought they looked like two big white Gumby's acting fleet-footed. Maybe that's the way the artist intended it--to make something controversial to engage the public's attention?
Denver is very big on public art. Denver's Public Art Program installs dozens of new works every year. This 2003 sculpture is made of fiberglass and steel. It is part of the Denver Performing Arts Complex sculpture park.
You have to hand it to this city. An order enacted into official ordinance by former Mayor Wellington E. Webb, "directs that 1% of any capital improvement project over $1 million undertaken by the City, be set aside for the inclusion of art in the design and construction of these projects. Over the past 20 years, over 300+ pieces" have been added to the local Public Art Collection, said artsandvenuesdenver.com. .The city fathers were big on all this public art expanding "the opportunity for Denver residents to experience art in public places, thereby creating more visually pleasing environments." Perhaps because of the Wild West background of Denver and Colorado, politicos devised the Public Art Component to show just how civilized and big city, the metro region had become. No doubt, all the public art is very stimulating and plays a big role in the overall vibrancy, health and creativity of the Denver community.
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