A Horse of a Different Color
Last May, my son Oliver and I went to Chicago together. It was the first time we’d been to the Denver International Airport since the big blue horse had been installed.
Have you seen the big blue horse? It’s actually a fiberglass sculpture by Luis Jiminez. Commissioned in 1992, it killed Jiminez in 2006 – part of it fell on him, injuring him fatally – and was finished by his sons.
Personally, the big blue horse is not my cup of tea – and it has nothing to do with my dubious view of the Broncos.
If the horse was made of metal or sculpted from rock, and perhaps a little less wild-eyed, I’d think it was a great monument to the West. But it’s blue – bright, cobalt blue – and not a little frightening. And while a rearing mustang is a fitting symbol of this city, the color of it (and the material too, honestly) don’t fit at all.
It’s not like the cows of CowParade, which are meant to be a humorous commentary. Found in cities all over the world, these cows are brightly painted in accordance with various themes. We’ve actually got quite a few here in Denver, and in fact, I swear there’s one in my little suburb.
Or else maybe someone’s just put a brightly painted cow out to pasture. Here’s hoping it doesn’t knock me over next time I go out biking. Now that would be a story, wouldn’t it?
Back to the big blue horse.
I realize that not everyone has the same taste in art, and that the artist who created this sculpture was exceptionally talented. This horse might be the perfect complement to another city. But here in the wild wild West, it just looks silly.
I also realize that I’m a transplant to Denver, and I’m not yet fully indoctrinated into the ways of the city.
But I like it here, and I think it’s a beautiful city with gorgeous scenery and so much to offer that would-be visitors haven’t yet discovered. I want them to land at our airport and be awed by the sweeping plains and snow-capped mountains and acres of clear blue sky. I don’t want them to gape at a big blue horse.
Worse yet, I don’t want them to laugh at us for choosing it as a symbol of our city.
What is your opinion of the blue horse at DIA?
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It’s the eyes that creep me out more than anything. Since the man sacrificed his life making it, I don’t necessarily want it taken away. Just change the color of the eyes!
I actually like it. It’s unique and memorable (!), and oddly, the colors, to me, are appealing.
Even the fiery eyes.
(After all, one translation of “Colorado” is “colored red.”)
I hope it stays.
My opinion? It’s the nastiest thing! You know the head fell off and killed the sculptor right? I feel like whoever was in charge of saying yes or no saw how ugly it was and was going to scrap the deal then, the whole falling head incident happened and Denver had no choice. Up goes the evil blue horse, with glowing red eyes, and large junk if you know what I mean. It looks like a cheap carnival ride gone wrong. For the record, no officer, I was the one encouraging the wrecking crew to demolish the horse at 2am, not me, no way. (Fingers crossed behind my back.)
whatwasisayingagain1018.blogspost.com
Our family was already suspicious that the terrifying blue horse was possessed by the Devil. The knowledge that the sculpture actually killed the sculptor confirms our suspicions. Didn’t they just agree to remove it? That thing FREAKs me out is most certainly not a welcoming face to put up to guests arriving in Denver nor something anyone should have to see before leaving on a Jet Plane! Move it already!!!!
Not only are the eyes and body color crazy, you have big visible veins all over it. It is just scary and weird. I can’t believe that we spent a lot of money on it-I heard over a million!!
Well, I’m almost afraid to offer my opinion…but here I am anyway!
I don’t see a problem with it. Claire, my 3-yr old, LOVES it, and it brings her UNENDING JOY when we venture out to the airport. She’ll even beg to go see it when we’re not headed that way.
Is it *my* style? No. But, that’s the beauty of art. I didn’t even notice the crazy eyes until someone complained about them…I barely have a chance to see the eyes, because I’m more concerned about trying to dodge the traffic.
I love that it’s controversial, because it just goes to show that this piece of art is a true success…it’s bringing out all kinds of emotions all over the place.
And, isn’t that one of the reasons people make art?
First off I think that the city should have commissioned an artist from Colorado. If public tax dollar are paying for the art, then the public should be allowed to vote on art that the money is being spent on. Of course we are biased being native Coloradoans with sculptural expertise. My husband, Dwayne Cranford built a beautiful life-sized rendering of a horse from steel. Full muscle definition and capturing the spirit of the horse. You can see it on our website at http://www.stone2furniture.com/gallery-horse.htm
CANT.STAND.SCARY.BLUE.HORSE.
But hey, I’m not artsy fartsy either so what do I know?
Don’t feel bad, my peeps.. Loveland is known for it’s amazing bronze scuptures (and artists) and ya’ll should see the crappy thunderbolt and raindrop nightmare they put up at the City office. Not bronze.. more like high school project gone oh so wrong.
That is just a tad terrifying. The fact that it actually murdered it’s maker makes it that much worse. Yikes.
I think it looks like a demon horse. I’m not a fan. Paint it black and take out the demonic red, glowing eyes and I’ll probably warm up to it…
[...] the big blue horse at DIA? What do you think of it? What do you think I think of [...]
HIDEOUS! I wish somehow it would disappear…hint…hint. At least someone should have the decency to shoot the eyes out!
Watch Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura? On the episode that aired Jan. 2010 it talks of the 2012 fears of the goverment. This horse is pictured as one of the “symbols” for only those that know the meaning to see.
Watch this partial clip and see what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP7kMdLHc98
MsStretch, DayOh14