Denver International Airport (DIA) is located 25 miles (40.234 kilometers) east of Denver on the high plains in Aurora. Colorado. Opened in 1995, it replaced the smaller Stapleton International Airport.
It is the largest airport in North America by area — 53 square miles (137.269 square kilometers) — and one of the world's busiest, serving over 64 million passengers annually.
The Denver International Airport Jeppesen Terminal's internationally recognized peaked roof, designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, resembles snow-capped mountains and evokes the early history of Colorado when Native American teepees were located across the Great Plains.
The airport features some of the longest commercial runways in the world, necessary due to its "hot and high" altitude, which affects aircraft performance.
Downtown Denver is less than 40 minutes away via the A Line Commuter Rail.
On trips to the airport, we witnessed the construction of the Westin Hotel, which opened in 2015 and is adjacent to the airport.
The hotel was designed with this description:
“Building upon imagery of flight and aviation, the sleek form resembles a bird with wings extended, framing and accenting the acclaimed tent-like roof of Jeppesen Terminal.”
Travelers heading to and from Denver International Airport (DIA) along Peña Boulevard have been greeted for 18 years by a blue horse statue called "Blue Mustang." He recently celebrated his birthday! There is no parking area near the sculpture, so my photos are all "drive-by" ones.
Weighing 9,000 lbs. and standing 32 feet tall, Blue Mustang is a fiberglass sculpture by Luis Jiménez. It was one of many public art projects at the airport.
According to the DIA website: "Jiménez’ characteristic style references the grandeur of the Mexican muralists, the energy of the Southwest, and the bright colors he experienced as a youth in his father’s sign-making company. Jiménez’s vivid paint, unique surface treatments, and method of exaggeration have influenced many young artists who are emerging in the galleries of Los Angeles and New York in the styles that are known as Lowbrow and Urban Art."
Most people tend to affectionately refer to the statue as "Blucifer" due to its piercing red neon eyes, but the eyes are actually a tribute to the artist's father, who owned a neon light shop in Mexico
There is also the sad fact that the statue’s creator was killed when a section of the sculpture's three sections came loose in his New Mexico studio, pinning him and severing an artery in his leg in 2006.
After his death, family and friends made the decision to complete the sculpture. Jiménez’s son took over the project to make sure Blue Mustang was finished.
The Blue Mustang is definitely an eye-catching sight when one drives towards the airport terminal!
I captured this photo of him in the snow a few years ago
Some fun facts about the Blue Mustang:
The Mustang's eyes are made out of LED lights, and the maintenance team has changed them just once in the airport's lifetime.
The piece was partly modeled on Jiménez's own Appaloosa stallion, Blackjack, a horse that he bought in fulfillment of a childhood desire after becoming a successful artist
A team of professionals helps to perform maintenance on the Mustang's paint as it becomes weathered. Every year, a local art fabrication and conservation company gives him an exam and a cleaning. They check for any cracks or chips caused by the elements. The sculpture is then washed by hand with distilled water, any holes or cracks are filled, it's repainted with an airbrush, and sunblock is applied.
The city ultimately paid $650,000 for the sculpture. A 2007 appraisal valued the work at $2,000,000, and the city has insured it at that value.
Denver International Airport is a busy one, and the Blue Mustang is certainly an iconic sight when one is beginning or ending a travel adventure!
Blogs I link with:
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What an interesting read. I had no idea Denver International Airport was the largest in America. Fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteI love watching aeroplanes landing and starting. Seems to be a very large airport there. And the blue mustang looks great. Thanks for your kind visit to my blog.
ReplyDeleteHave a good time
Violetta
I'm kind of surprised I didn't see him when we were there! I do remember thinking the airport was so very large. Our airports here are pretty tiny.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I have flown into the Denver airport for our Rock Mtn NP visit. It is a nice airport. I like the design of the hotel and the mustang sculptures. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
ReplyDeleteSo many memories and so many much better pictures than I've ever managed. Thank you for both. We've spent a fair amount of time at this airport!
ReplyDeleteSince, as you know, I'm from Denver, it was good to read this post. You always cover your topics so well, Pat. Much of what you said about the horse ("Blucifer") was already known to me, and then I learned a few more interesting facts.
ReplyDeleteI will frankly say that I don't care for him much, but your descriptions of his background made him a little more endearing. (Those piercing red eyes look scary .....)
It's been 9 years since I last saw him (when we moved to Florida). I've wondered how he's doing at DIA. Now I know. Thanks for this post.
How interesting and wow that is a big Mustang
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the Westin was designed to look like wings! Every time I've driven to the airport in the last 11 years I never saw that, but it's so obvious now from your photo. :) I didn't know all those interesting facts about Blucifer, either. Sad that the sculptor died making it! Great photos, too. Visiting from the Happiness is Homemade linkup.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, I don't like flying... there are holiday destinations in Ireland, Greece or various business trips. However, this airport and the impressive aeroplanes ✈️ exert a great fascination. The Story about the Mustang is greatful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at MosaicMonday ❤️
I have flown into Denver a couple of times, you do get your exercise getting from one side to the other! #MMBC
ReplyDeleteI've flown into and out of the old airport, but not the new one. Beautiful airport and I love that horse. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Happy Tuesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. ♥
I've never heard of the Blue Mustang -- what an interesting story! That's one big airport. I've flown in and out but never noticed the exterior of the building!
ReplyDeleteThat was really interesting and the mustang is something special! I have a couple of blogger pals that live in Denver.
ReplyDeleteDenver International Airport’s striking design, from the tent-like Jeppesen Terminal to the towering “Blue Mustang” sculpture, blends Colorado’s natural heritage, artistic vision, and aviation innovation, leaving travelers both impressed and intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI’ve never been to Denver or seen the Mustang, but your photos and details bring it to life for me.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so striking against the snow!
...Pat, it sounds like the sculpture was a great investment!
ReplyDeleteAttractive design of the airport looks even better with a blue mustang.
ReplyDeleteQuel article passionnant et plein de précieuses informations. Merci beaucoup pour tout cela. Et les photos sont magnifiques
ReplyDeleteI can't ever remember seeing the blue horse at the airport. Most of the time I was just changing planes on my way to Idaho Falls to see my Dad who has been gone for several years now. I am old enough to remember Stapleton Airport. Nice that it was close to the city center but very small and cramped.
ReplyDeleteCool mustang sculpture.
ReplyDeleteI have flown in and out of the Denver airport many times, through the years, and I don't recall this statue. It is quite formidable. Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteI've always been impressed by Denver's airport, and those white tent-like structures. Seeing them up close is very cool! I don't recall seeing the mustang.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I flew through Denver airport and the layover was so long that we were given a hotel room for the night. Sadly didn't get to see much of the airport.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
That mustang certainly makes a statement! Great photos and storytelling.
ReplyDeleteThe Blue Mustang is very cool! Thanks for sharing during the Year of the Fire Horse!
ReplyDeleteAlways great photos! What amazing architecture, and what an incredible sky as the backdrop!
ReplyDeleteHello Pat,
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Airport, I love the mustang sculptures.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Dearest Pat,
ReplyDeleteThe mustang statue is truly stunning!
Thank you for another so interesting and charming post of yours, with so many captivating shots.
XO Daniela @ ~ My little old world ~
A beautiful statue!
ReplyDelete