Blue Mustang

A horse, literally of a different color, is making headlines in Denver. Apparently a sculpture of a blue mustang rearing up on his hind legs, eyes glowing and nostrils flaring, is causing quite a stir among the residents of mile-high city. The 32 foot tall mustang, created by the late Luis Jiminez, is prominently displayed at the Denver International Airport, and not always viewed as a welcoming site.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Denver resident, Rachel Hultin, had even started a campaign to get the piece of public art removed, having enlisted over 700 supporters on her Facebook page, Bye, Bye Mustang.

She's up against quite a challenge as she is finding out. First of all, under the city's law, pieces of public art must remain in place for five years to honor the artist's intent and to give people a chance to adjust. And then there is the fact that the artist was actually killed while working on the piece. "In 2000, while he was hoisting pieces of the mustang for final assembly in his New Mexico studio, the horse's massive torso swung out of control and crushed the 65-year old artist," reports the WSJ. Jiminez's widow and children helped finance the finance the piece.

To Susan Jiminez, the piece reminds her of her husband, who loved petting his appaloosa, Blackjack. "I know he didn't mean anything demonic by it," she said. "I'm sorry if people are afraid of ribs on a horse."

Apparently Jiminez was known for his colorful stallions. Another, at the University of Oklahoma's art museum also caused quite a stir when it was installed in 1997. Since then, people have adjusted, especially after the artist paid a visit to respond to the complaints in person. "It's become a local landmark," remarks Susan Baley, a curator at the museum.

Not everyone thinks Jiminez's interpretation of horses is frightening. Betsy Broun, director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, sees deep symbolism in the pieces. "His is not a quiet, meditative, reflective art," she explains. "It's an art that says, 'This is important!' and reaches out to grab your attention."

It seems that the blue mustang has certainly done that for Denver's visitors and residents alike. And it also seems that it is staying put, for at least four more years. Just recently, Hultin decided to change her tactics. Instead of focusing on removing the piece, she is now launching a campaign to better understand and appreciate it. "When people see it, they'll be like 'Oh, that's interesting,'" she says.

Regardless of how you feel about the piece it seems to me it has accomplished just what public art sets out to do: get people talking, thinking and above all, looking at it.