“Not only does ‘Monolithic Orchestration’ depict the construction of the new Hotel and Transit Center, but it also displays a talented local artist,” said Denver International Airport’s Art and Culture Manager, Chris Stevens. “These paintings illustrate the simple beauty behind the construction of the hotel.”

Goldman painting depicting the construction of the DIA hotel and transit project. Image courtesy DIA.

A 22.8 mile commuter rail line from Denver’s Union Station to DIA known as the East Line, is under development and is slated to begin operation in the spring of 2016. This rail line will utilize a different technology than RTD’s the light rail lines and is designed to carry passenger farther and faster than light rail. Trains will reach a top speed of 79 mph and will whisk passengers between downtown Denver and DIA in 35 minutes. Trains will run every 15 minutes during peak hours.

In conjunction with RTD’s new commuter rail line, is the development of the 519-room Westin Denver International Airport Hotel. This hotel project is currently under construction, but is nearing completion as an opening date is expected this November.

Goldman painting depicting the construction of the DIA hotel and transit project. Image courtesy DIA.

The East Line will deliver passengers to the Jeppesen Terminal- DIA’s main terminal. A 26,000 square foot conference center will be housed at the hotel and an 86,000 square foot public space will sit just outside of the hotel. The hotel was designed by the architecture firm Gensler and the general contractor on the project is Kiewit.

According to Goldman, the purpose of her artwork is to recreate abstract moments that convey the people, city, and the nation that contributed to the beauty of the new hotel and transit project.  Goldman focused specifically on the construction of the hotel and transit development because it allowed her to reflect on the architecture and design of the hotel as a piece of art.

Passengers and airport visitors may view the paintings during regular business hours without having to go through security, at the Airport Office Building lobby, which is west of the A-Bridge security checkpoint.

Rendering of Westin Hotel. Image courtesy DIA.

Photo of Westin Hotel at DIA. Denver Urban Review April 2015.

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Chihuly glass at the Denver Botanic Gardens 2014. Photo Credit: Urban Safari Photography.

The Denver Botanic Gardens has announced that it was the most visited public garden in North America in 2014 with 1,411,116 visitors. This was due in part to the popular display of Chihuly glass.

“One of the best outcomes from 2014 was the vast increase of visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries around the world,” said Botanic Gardens CEO Brian Vogt. “The most important statistic is the fact that we have 2,700 volunteers who, arm in arm with the staff and Board, are utterly fearless, passionate and dedicated.”

Next year the Botanic Gardens will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Tropical Conservatory. The charter for the gardens was established in 1951 by the non-profit Botanical Gardens Foundation of Denver. Landscape architect Saco R. DeBoer was hired to design the grounds. The first plants were placed at the York Street location in 1959 and the Tropical Conservatory was dedicated in 1966 featuring tropical and subtropical plants.

Chihuly Glass at the Denver Botanic Gardens in 2014.
Photo credit: Urban Safari Photography

In addition to the attendance record, the Gardens is honored to be included in the North American Garden Tourism Conference’s ‘Top 10 North American Gardens Worth Traveling For’ 2015 Awards. The Garden Tourism Awards are presented to gardens that have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of the garden experience as a tourism attraction. Now presented annually, the inaugural Garden Tourism Awards were bestowed at the 2011 North American Garden Tourism Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Photographs courtesy Urban Safari Photography.

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Public art being installed at Union Station on January 29, 2015

Workers assemble public art at Union Station on January 29, 2015

This configuration was the brainchild of Christian Moeller. The sculpture was inspired by a Swiss Railway clock as well as imagery of a person running alongside a train waving goodbye. Once fully installed the sculpture will be in perpetual motion.

The above animation depicts the structure in motion.

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