CoLA

Denver’s Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program will begin installation starting Monday of the first of two large exterior public art commission projects for the Denver Justice Center.

Glass artist Martin Donlin and designer Peter Kaufmann have collaborated to create a steel and glass canopy. It will be installed above the entrance of the Denver Justice Center Parking Garage and the Denver Mile High Station Post Office, 450 W. 14th Ave.

Installation will continue through Tuesday, May 18, weather permitting.

Martin Donlin (UK) was selected to create the design for the untitled 75-foot-long colored laminated glass canopy that will mark the entrances along the north façade of the Post Office and Parking Garage building. The design of the steel canopy was overseen by Peter Kaufmann (Oregon), and it was designed to “unhinge” the colorful art glass from the rigid masonry façade of the building.

As the city describes it:

The unique abstract floral and avian patterns of red, yellow, blue and white “jump” off the framework and the irregular pattern of the steel canopy cantilevers out, like a gesture of “arms” outstretched to release a colorful bird. Thus, the canopy artwork becomes a statement and an experience—much more than merely a functional object.