Beefing up security? Of course.
Issuing protest permits? Done.
Polishing the giant toy horse? Well, that too.
The city of Denver is striving to put its best foot forward for the throngs of visitors expected for the Democratic National Convention in August. New to the list of chores: sprucing up some of the more visible pieces of public art in the downtown area.
The Office of Cultural Affairs has targeted seven familiar sculptures for cleaning, repainting and repair. The work, in various stages of completion, is expected to cost about $200,000.
“With the DNC coming, there were a number of pieces in the downtown area that needed work, and we wanted to make sure those got taken care of,” said Kendall Peterson, the city’s public-art administrator.
Probably the most prominent piece being refurbished is Donald Lipski’s “The Yearling,” which consists of a giant toy horse on an oversized red chair. It stands outside the Denver Central Library, along the 14th Avenue Parkway.
The horse has been temporarily removed so the chair can be repainted and the paint allowed to cure. Peterson expects the horse to be back in place in about two weeks.
The repairs stretch throughout the urban core.
David Griggs’ “Platte Valley Time Vanes,” six abstract steel sculptures situated on overpasses near Coors Field, were recently repainted.
In its former rundown state, Gerald Cross’ untitled 1975 sculpture on a landscaped traffic triangle at the intersection of Speer Boulevard, West Colfax Avenue and Kalamath Street was all too easily ignored.
The stairstepped, geometric steel has been restored to its original hard- to-miss orange and its concrete base has been sandblasted. In addition, missing and damaged plexiglass parts are being replaced.
Other works receiving maintenance are: Emanuel Martinez’s “Confluent People,” a mural on Little Raven Street at the Speer Boulevard overpass; Gary Sweeney’s “Colorado Vacationland,” on the 16th Street Mall; Sara Jane Maclennan’s “Sign Post,” 12 bronze plaques on downtown sidewalks; and Patty Ortiz’s “Leap of Faith,” two towers near the entrance of Elitch Gardens.
The office regularly inspects the nearly 300 pieces in the city’s public-art collection to see which ones need upkeep. This year, art likely to be in the Dems’ view received priority.
“We want to make sure that everything in that area is in tiptop shape, so that when convention visitors look at it, they’ll go, ‘Wow!’ as opposed to ‘There’s some work that needs to be done.’ ”
Repair funds are part of the $550 million bond issue for maintenance pro- jects approved by voters in November.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
“The Yearling”
This steel-and-fiberglass horse perched on a large red chair welcomes visitors to the Denver Central Library and art museum.
Artist: Donald Lipski Location: 14th Avenue Parkway. Installed: 2003
“Leap of Faith”
These painted steel towers, above, are large enough to be appreciated by drivers speeding down this busy stretch.
Artist: Patty Ortiz
Location: Speer Boulevard and Elitch Circle.
Installed: 1995
Untitled
This grouping of colored plexiglass and steel formations has been a Denver landmark for decades.
Artist: Gerald Cross
Location: Speer Boulevard, West Colfax Avenue and Kalamath Street.
Installed: 1975
“Platte Valley Time Vanes”
This grouping of six abstract steel objects, shown on Page 1B, bridges Denver’s old and upcoming neighborhoods.
Artist: David Griggs
Location: 22nd Street and Park Avenue West overpasses.
Installed: 1995
“Confluent People”
One of the city’s rare figurative pieces, this mural evokes Denver’s diverse inhabitants.
Artist: Emanuel Martinez
Location: Little Raven Street at Speer Boulevard overpass.
Installed: 1999
“Colorado Vacationland”
This photographic installation pokes a little fun at Denver’s tourists. Regardless, they get a kick out of it.
Artist: Gary Sweeney
Location: 16th Street Mall at California Street.
Installed: 1991
“Sign Post”
A viewer could miss these 38 bronze plaques, 12 of which were polished and reset, unless they knew to look toward the sidewalk where they are installed. Surprise.
Artist: Sara Jane Maclennan
Location: 17th Street from Larimer Street to Broadway.
Installed: 1997
Source: Public Art Guide to Downtown Denver
