So That's Why

I have always wondered why the Denver airport has so much goofy modern art all over the place.  Even the subway tunnels have art on the walls (I must admit I am kind of partial to the little fans on the outbound train trip).  There are replicas of paper airplanes hanging from the ceilings, a fountain that is supposed to model the Front Range, and a fake Mayan temple in one terminal concourse.  It turns out that Colorado has a law that says that 1% of the budget for public building construction has to go for art.  Given that the airport costs overran to $4.8 billion, that was a $48 million boondoggle for every goofy public artist that could pull up to the trough.

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I was always partial to the statue of the Astronaut/Congressman.

I'm sure not *every* goofy artist qualified. No doubt, you also had to be the low bidder, too.

That airport nearly killed me (literally).

Now I see why.

Hey! We're very proud of our airport art.

You seem to have mistaken darkly sinister for "goofy."

I'm not even 100% sure what that mural is supposed to be symbolizing...But HELL! I would have put up some art for them at a reduced cost. They should've asked me.

I'm not even 100% sure what that mural is supposed to be symbolizing...But HELL! I would have put up some art for them at a reduced cost. They should've asked me.

It's my understanding that Arizona has the same 1% deal. Haven't you noticed the artwork at new freeways, etc.?