The Monsters Of Denver

Contemporary sculpture can be a challenge.  Above, the Big Blue Bear, a 40 foot / 12 meter sculpture standing on the sidewalk, peering into the convention center. A Denver web site describes the work as injecting "a welcome sense of fun and playfulness" into a serious building. I don't think so. If I were inside and saw that nose and these paws pressed on the window I'd run for it.

Below, a piece in the Denver Art Museum literally called Made In China by Siu Jianguo. A whole lot of stuff we buy in this country is made in China, including the Macbook I'm writing this on. Are we inviting Godzilla into our homes?

The Clyfford Still Museum

I was complaining about the boring architecture in Denver's central business district. A short distance away is an area that contains The Denver Art Museum, the main public library and the Clyfford Still Museum. There the architecture is wild with utterly different buildings piled up on one another, sometimes creating a chaotic effect.

The most unusual institution is the museum devoted exclusively to the art of the American abstract expressionist master, Clyfford Still. Why just the one painter and why in Denver? If you are interested, find out here.                 

Some Denver Snaps

So I sort of went to school for a while yesterday and got out to see the city a bit. Above, a downtown shot from the 16th Street Mall. Mies van der Rohe, that blessed and accursed architect, would be pleased. Second, the state capitol building, with a dome covered in gold leaf. Last, drive-through voting outside the city-county office building. There are local elections finishing next Tuesday. One of the staff told us it is totally mail voting but if you want to drive downtown and drop it off they are waiting for you. That's enlightened.