I’ve been AWOL for a while. I realize that. But when you don’t want to see or read another word about the grotesquery in Washington, or the terror attacks overseas, or the endless shootings in the U.S. … there’s not much left to discuss. Or maybe I’ve just gone brain-dead. No holiday to remember, no natural disasters, no baby giraffes. Not even a new webcam. Nothing much but hometown news and weather, generally of interest only to locals.
However, my curiosity was piqued recently when I caught a glimpse on the local news of the Blue Trees project downtown and Denver’s Big Blue Bear (officially and forgettably titled I See What You Mean) in the same shot. So I went looking for a similar photo and found this one from the bear’s residence, the Denver Convention Center.
What a whimsical bit of reality. Looks like a scene from Avatar.
I have yet to see the blue bear. I like the blue trees, too, especially next to the bear.
Of all the public art I’ve seen, he is by far my favorite. But I’ve only seen him a couple of times, when I’ve been downtown and my son was driving. Even with someone else driving, it’s hard to get a good look at him. I haven’t been down there enough to find my way around, much less find a place to park near the bear. I assume, however, that the Convention Center probably has its own parking garage.
I love this. We need more public art like this. Of course, being the crazy cat lady I am, I thought it was a cat at first. 😉
Little Rock certainly doesn’t have enough public art with a sense of humor.
I’d call him “adorable,” but that doesn’t really suit a 40-foot-tall statue. And there’s always disagreement about public art. I wish I could have found a picture that shows the scale, but I wanted one with both the trees and the bear. The link in the post has a good picture with people in it. And here’s one showing him in front of the Convention Center:
https://piedtype.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/denver_convention_center.jpg
Love it!
There are a few pieces in Little Rock that are decried, and for good reason, like the water sculpture by one of the courthouses that looks like construction debris. And there’s the Ten Commandments to be added to the Capitol lawn whose supporters don’t seem to realize opens the door to every other religion to demand a spot there. My buddy John has a couple of memorials and the Little Rock Nine sculpture at the Capitol … pieces that were actually commissioned and loved.
We have a sculpture garden near the Clinton library, but I haven’t been down there in a while. I tend to go to work and come home and not spend more time than necessary on that side of the river (too much traffic).
Please let us know when a copy of the Koran appears on said Capital Lawn, Love to see a pic of that 👿
Oh, if it does, I’ll be filling up the memory on my phone and camera … and if the satanic temple statue is approved … Though I’m really hoping for the monkey god. 🙉
Don’t forget FSM!
If only 😂
I may be a contender for that position. 🙂
The monkey god? Perfect! 😀
I’m glad you approve 🙄
I’m relatively neutral about most public art, neither hating it nor loving it. But I’d be howling about that Ten Commandments thing for exactly the reason you cite. Not to mention that it’s not really art but the promotion of religion. I think religion belongs in religious establishments, not on public land.
I’m glad your buddy’s commissioned pieces were appreciated. I can’t imagine putting in months on a piece and then having it hated, rejected, or ridiculed.
Now if the Pulitzer committee will just give him an award for his cartoons … 😀
I’ll see what I can do … 😉
I think if I awoke and saw that BIG BLUE BEAR staring at me through the window like that, I’d give up booze for good! 😈
And I would start drinking! Fortunately he’s staring into the main lobby or concourse, not a bedroom.
Very creative! I’d be more charmed if it was a panda bear, my favorite!
Yes, but painting all those trees black and white would be so tedious …
I’ve always loved that bear – and the blue trees make him even better. A little more whimsy might make people lighten up a bit.
(Little Rock is its’ own little universe. Happy to let all of them stay right in that little bubble. The river and hills are beautiful – too bad about all the crime that the authorities/law enforcement seem to feel is not necessary to resolve)
Been AWOl, too for similar reasons – at least you’ve had some lovely late spring. Snowmelt leaving lovely wild flowers?
I’m all for making the blue trees permanent. They and the bear complement each other, and I can’t imagine being unhappy in their presence.
I don’t know much about LIttle Rock. Have driven through there once or twice, but that was many years ago.
South Platte snowpack was at something like 330% last week. Whee!! Don’t know about the wild flowers. Haven’t been in the high country this spring. I do recall hearing that June was the peak month for them, though, so I need to get moving if I want to see them.
Hopefully the saturated ground defends against wild fires. A really late spring this year.
(PS the blue tree trunks lasted for the longest time here. But they somehow seem especially suited for Denver.)
Well, if those trees lasted a long time in Houston, with all the moisture you have, I’d expect them to last even longer here. It just makes sense to me that a blue bear should be standing amongst blue trees.
MY friend who is in Colorado now just sent me a letter relating her adventures with a bear! A real bear! It was pretty bold, and that’s a worry.
Not something I’d want to encounter, but not uncommon here near or in the mountains.The statue was actually inspired by a photo of a bear peering into someone’s window. Would have freaked me out.
Very Creative!
The paint on the trees will eventually wash away. I wish they would keep it on the trees around the bear.
would be the best thing!