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.