"National Velvet" sits proudly at the Highlands bridge. 12/16/08
DENVER - It's a pile of hot dogs. Burning candles. Maybe red chilies. A sculpture called "National Velvet" placed near the I-25 pedestrian bridge in the highlands has been called many things.
Just don't tell the city of Denver it's a waste of money.
"They become part of the city's fabric and its collective memory," says Kendall Peterson, who administers the city's Percent for Art program.
The city says they have to fund public arts.
A 1988 law mandates that one percent of city money spent on construction projects over 100 million dollars must go to art. A committee of art professionals, city officials decide on which works of art, with public input. But the projects chosen don't always meet with rave reviews from everyone. Still, they are a worth while investment, Peterson says.
In the case of National Velvet, artist John McEnroe spent over a year and a half preparing the 53,000 dollar piece. He says it isn't anything more than sandbags stacked on top of each other. But he says, peope are free to see what they want to see in it.
"Everyone gets to have their opinion, and I welcome all opinions," McEnroe told us, noting the city's money barely even covered his expenses.
Some, though, have dubbed the statue "Beanis."
Terry Snyder came to look at the statue today and said, "It's like they say shock 'em make em mad, see how they react."
Passers by today generally liked National Velvet, even if they had different ideas on what it actuality was. If the goal of art is to generate thought and discussion, in this case, it is mission accomplished.
One man said, "I think it brings an interesting new vibe to this area."
Just don't tell the city of Denver it's a waste of money.
"They become part of the city's fabric and its collective memory," says Kendall Peterson, who administers the city's Percent for Art program.
The city says they have to fund public arts.
A 1988 law mandates that one percent of city money spent on construction projects over 100 million dollars must go to art. A committee of art professionals, city officials decide on which works of art, with public input. But the projects chosen don't always meet with rave reviews from everyone. Still, they are a worth while investment, Peterson says.
In the case of National Velvet, artist John McEnroe spent over a year and a half preparing the 53,000 dollar piece. He says it isn't anything more than sandbags stacked on top of each other. But he says, peope are free to see what they want to see in it.
"Everyone gets to have their opinion, and I welcome all opinions," McEnroe told us, noting the city's money barely even covered his expenses.
Some, though, have dubbed the statue "Beanis."
Terry Snyder came to look at the statue today and said, "It's like they say shock 'em make em mad, see how they react."
Passers by today generally liked National Velvet, even if they had different ideas on what it actuality was. If the goal of art is to generate thought and discussion, in this case, it is mission accomplished.
One man said, "I think it brings an interesting new vibe to this area."
