Two years ago I spent a summer weekend in Providence, Rhode Island and attended WaterFire (http://www.waterfire.org/ww.waterfire.org/). Equal parts public art installation, seasonal festival, public spectacle, and performance art, WaterFire has evolved into a Providence icon.The WaterFire web site provides an excellent description of this attraction:
“WaterFire Providence, the award-winning sculpture by Barnaby Evans installed on the three
rivers of downtown Providence, has been praised by Rhode Island residents and international visitors alike as a powerful work of art and a moving symbol of Providence’s renaissance. WaterFire’s one hundred sparkling bonfires, the fragrant scent of aromatic wood smoke, the flickering firelight on the arched bridges, the silhouettes of the firetenders passing by the flames, the torch-lit vessels traveling down the river, and the enchanting music from around the world engage all the senses and emotions of those who stroll the paths of Waterplace Park. WaterFire has captured the imagination of over ten million visitors, bringing life to downtown, and revitalizing Rhode Island’s capital city.”
WaterFire has drawn thousands of visitors into Providence, helped reinvigorate the downtown area and provided a substantial economic boost to the city which is estimated to be in the millions of dollars each season.
Civic leaders in Denver such as Mayor Hickenlooper and staff in the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs clearly recognize the powerful economic devleopment impact that the arts can have on the city. Denver is already blessed with an outstanding series of annual events, festivals, and artistic and cultural organizations. The City of Denver also has a strong public art program (http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denvergov.org/Public_Art_Program ). Metro Denver voters have wisely supported the regional Scientific and Cultural Facilties District (SCFD) (http://www.scfd.org/ ) through a tenth of a percent sales tax in the seven county Denver Metro Area.
However, I believe that the City of Denver and the metro area would benefit enormously from developing a signature public art attraction that is analogous to WaterFire. Such an attraction would need to be both spectacular and intellectually stimulating. It should be created by an artist who has a deep understanding of Denver so that it fits contextually into the local geography and built environment using media formats that are organic to Colorado. The attraction would need to generate strong support from the local community including residents, businesses and civic leaders. Making this attraction “green” (i.e. environmentally friendly) would also be important These are not easy requirements to meet but the payoff for Denver could be tremendous if a successful attraction was launched.
This attraction would serve as a powerful brand building campaign for Denver, and help to fulfill Mayor Hickenlooper’s vision that “Denver will ascend to be the cultural capital of the west.” It could draw in tens of thousands of visitors to Denver and provide enjoyment to local residents. Other local artistic and cultural entities would gain spillover benefits from the publicity and traffic it generates as Denver’s profile as an artistic destination is raised. 
Blog readers, what do you think of this idea? This blog is making an open call for suggestions and opinions on this topic? Please provide your feedback on this idea and also let Denver civic leaders such as the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs( http://www.denvergov.org/HomePage/tabid/378071/Default.aspx) know what you think.
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1 comment:
I completely agree...although anything with fire might be a risk seeing that we're so dry.
We can't look to a water display because there would be much griping about water waste.
So I dunno, but I do believe we need something that is uniquely Denver!
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