Denver a big art city? Who knew?

I was surprised to find myself liking Denver, a lot. I was at Denver to attend the AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Conference; to give customer support to my company’s booth, present a poster, and hopefully learn what is new in cancer research. At first when I heard Denver was the location of the conference I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping for something more like New Orleans or Washington DC, or something warm like San Diego or San Francisco. But, Denver? No, I did not think I would like Denver so much.

 

The temperature as we arrived in Denver

 was a chilly 36F and a slushy rain soaked the city. 

Still not excited about being in Denver I mildly complained about the weather to a man in the airport. He promised that the weather would be 70F and sunny by the next day.  I then went out in the rain to find a ride for the 30 min drive into the city. Leaving the airport a tall blue statue of a horse stared at me with his glowing red eyes. 

The next day, Kim and I arrived at the conference center a bit late, at about 9:30 a.m. We walked from our hotel down Market Street. A mile-long pedestrian mall that stretches along 16th St. from Broadway to Market Street. Grey and granite sidewalks, renovated stone and brick buildings, outdoor cafes and superb restaurants, towering glass and steel skyscrapers, and hundreds of shops line the outdoor mall. Stopping at a starbucks, we picked up a latte and hot chocolate before slowly making our way down market street. Enjoying the crisp morning air and the energy contained in the outdoor mall. As promised the sky was clear. I could tell the day would be beautiful. We turned off 16^th street and headed towards Denver’s conference center. Two dancing figures could be seen towering above the cities buildings.

As we turned the corner and entered the main doors of the convention center, one of the main features (and probably most photographed) of the convention center towered over us. A big blue bear looking through the largest set of windows in the building. As if curiously peering in at the conventioneers. The 40-foot tall, blue bear is a creation of Lawrence Argent, and is titled “I See What You Mean.”According to a city of Denver website, the artist has described I See What You Mean as a stylized representation of native fauna. As the bear peeks inside the enormous facility, displacement and wonder pique curiosity and question a greater relationship of art, technology and whimsy. “My public artworks are part of a larger whole,” stated Lawrence Argent. “I am an artist that utilizes assorted mediums and venues to engage the viewer in questioning the assumed and provide a vehicle by which stimulus opens a plethora of responses that defy verbal articulation.” Hmmm! Like I said, it’s a big blue bear.

We entered the center. I could see more art through the windows. Large black sculptures lining the back wall. Cells?, dinosaur bones, and rows of grazing animals all connected together like a family tree. I spent many different visits trying to figure out the art pieces. But I still don't get them and the internet did not resolve my search to determine their meaning. 

The conference is held over a period of  days. Each morning we would walk to breakfast, then the convention center. I would spend the morning in the booth trying to entice scientists to try their swing at mini golf as a way to get them to listen to our spiel about our product line. We found most scientist were very willing, needing a break in all of the learning they were doing...I guess. And who wouldn't take such people as these seriously when it comes to golf or science?

The remaining part of the day, for me, was usually lunch and reading posters and going to mini symposiums. This last four hours, only informed me of how little I know. 

The main area of the conference is held on the second floor. So in order to leave the conference center, we had to ride down escalators. But unknown to us, the escalator was yet another art piece and as we rode down the escalator, it errupted into laughter. 

The first time I rode it I found the laughter rather creepy. Thinking that the laughter was supposed to be uplifting, the next time I rode, I tried laughing with it. But that only made me creepy too.  So for the remaining rides I choose to be silent along with the other long faced scientists. The sounds of laughter echoing from below. 

I later learned that Green, the artist of the escalator, has earned national attention for his "wonderfully witty and imaginative" sound sculptures. I think Ive heard about them on NPR. I remember thinking that the idea of a artistic sound scape was incredibly creative but after experiencing one and hearing others explain their fears of the creepy laughing escalator perhaps it was not a very well played idea. Sadly enough.  He is also supposed to have created sidewalks that sing (and moo and quack), and washroom faucets that warble "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" when turned on. Admittedly, even after being witness to the creepy escalator I would like to see more of his work.  

This is a definitely town that could teach many other cities how to protect and project the arts. I admittedly, would like to experience more of Denver and their (sometimes creepy) art.  Ohh! and their restaurants are pretty good too.

Funky Hat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNER!

Whats that? 

A hat.

Crazy, funky, junky hat.

Overslept! Hair unsightly!

Trying to look like Kiera Knightley?

We've been there. We've done that.

We see right through your funky hat.

Selena Gomez - Funky Hat Song Lyrics

I am one of those parents

Yes. Its official. I am one of those parents that think their kid is so talented because his twig people now have circle bodies. But seriously, its pretty cute how he draws me pictures of birds... isn't it?

Happy Easter!

Things I overheard: Tanner style

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.--Franklin P. Jones, U.S. humorist

Tanner decides to wash his hair ...in the sink instead of showering.

Me: "You have made a mess, Tanner." said with a growl.

Tanner: " Yes. *sigh* It was a lot of work."

A child is a curly, dimpled lunatic.--Ralph Waldo Emerson, (1803--1883), U.S. essayist

Durring the same morning Tanner suffers a series of Hiccup's!.

Me: "Tanner stop burping!" *crusty look appropriately given*

*Hiccup!*

Tanner: gives look of surprise.

*Hiccup!*

Me: "oh! you have the hiccup's."

*Hiccup!*

*pause*

*Hiccup!*

*pause*

*Hiccup!-beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelch!*

Me: *Stern look*

Tanner: "What? It had hiccup in it!"

A day in the life- Casi

The sun setting over  I-15. Taken with  Cassidy's Camera phone through the front window of a volvo C-30. 

Wheeler Farm

Yesterday, I went to went to Wheeler Farm with Tanner's kindergarten class. I was assigned with Tanner and Em's (my niece) group. All three of us are very excited about seeing the animals at the farm but I think we were even more excited to ride in the bus.

What is a trip to wheeler farm with out a picture  of the pigs? They are so cute. I bet they will be made into great bacon one day. 

The tree in this picture was a hit with the kids. There was a sign informing the farm visitors of the tree. Describing the trees species and age, but I never read it. The kids did not seem to care much for the information either. They just wanted to climb its massive limbs. I mean, who wouldn't?

Tanner, on the massive tree,  contemplating how the tree will be affected by global warming or he's in the middle of a blank stare. Not sure. 

A few other pictures that I like. Of course you can see more photos  by clicking the link to my flickr account, in the side bar.

Goblin Valley 2009

March 20-22, 2009

We arrived at Goblin Valley Thursday night. The sky was filled with clouds and the wind blew. It was 36 degrees cold.

We spent the majority of the night in the trailer. The kids wrestled. I tried not to be annoyed. Nate went outside.

By morning the wind had stopped and the sun shone. We went into goblin Valley. A group went into the canyon that surrounds white half dome while I enjoyed the weather and sketched a goblin.

The colors of the desert were so intense. I obsessed about the colors; trying to document them with  my camera the oranges, yellows, and reds in the last years grass. Here is my favorite shot.
In the afternoon, once everyone had arrived, we hiked Ding Canyon.

Eventually though, Ding became too difficult for the kids (and dog) so most of the group turned around. Cassidy, Tanisha, Brandon and I continued on. Finishing both Ding and Dang canyons. We were told about a rope at one section of the canyon and so reaching it, became a focal point on the hike. 

The section between the two canyons was littered with random blocky bolders. The sand carved by the wind into flawless hills.

We left the Ding and Dang canyons as the sun started to exit our sky; creating a soft light that enhanced the colors of spring in the desert. 

On Saturday we hiked little wild horse canyon with the whole group. The kids loved this canyon. This canyon was made for them and it was fun to hike. The only downer was the boy scouts of America also thought it was a great day to hike the canyon. The entire canyon covered in their mark; painted with streaks of urine. One group of scouts even pushed aside little Bailey and her mom, Lisa, who were moving down a 10 ft cliff face. Not having the patience to wait.  

In the afternoon, we celebrated a birthday (a day early) with Ice cream cake and rockets.

 We camped along a dry creekbed. The ancient cottonwood trees  still in their winter state. 

Our last night was perfect for a campfire. We stayed up late playing 20 questions. A Western Screech owl's territorial call could be heard behind the sounds of our laughter.
 On sunday morning ( our last day) we went through Crack canyon. It is one of my favorite canyons since it offers many obsticles in its path.  It windy this morning, a storm moving in, but once we entered the canyon the wind was forgotten....
until we left the canyon and returned to camp. When we arrived it was obvious we were in the middle of a horrible sand storm. We hurriedly tossed our gear into the trailer and helped pack up others. There was sand everywhere.  It was 2:00 pm when we left camp.

The sand was so bad we occasionaly lost site of the road and each other.  We arrived a Green river after 3:30 pm. We hung out at subway, ate lunch, and planned our escape.