New Sculpture Made From Luggage Installed at Denver International Airport
A striking new art installation is being unveiled at Denver International Airport (DIA) this week. The piece, shaped like an infinity sign, will hang high above Concourse B and is set to be installed on Monday. Designed by renowned artist Thomas Evans, better known as Detour, this massive sculpture aims to inspire reflection and a sense of wonder for those traveling through the airport.
At a place where movement is constant, Evans hopes to create a moment that encourages people to pause. “There’s always someone traveling, always a plane in the sky, always someone trying to get to point B,” Evans explained. “That’s what I wanted to emphasize with this piece.”
The sculpture, titled “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” was crafted from nearly 250 pieces of upcycled luggage donated by the community. This artwork reflects the endless journey of life and the significance of the items we carry with us. “Luggage carries the things we hold dear, the things that make us who we are,” Evans shared.
Known for his vibrant murals across the country, Detour’s new creation adds another colorful layer to DIA’s collection of art. The infinity-shaped piece symbolizes the dream of travel and the connections it creates. Each donated suitcase represents a piece of someone’s personal history, making the installation even more intimate.
This sculpture marks the beginning of a new wave of public art at DIA, which has been home to local artists’ works since its opening in the 1990s. Detour’s unique approach to art, blending personal histories with community involvement, is inspiring for fellow artists like Darrell Anderson and David Griggs, who also had their pieces displayed in the airport.
The installation process, which involves custom welding and intricate design work, is taking place at Demiurge Denver. The colors of the sculpture were chosen to represent Colorado’s iconic sunsets and sunrises, as seen from an airplane window.
For Detour, this project is the realization of a dream. “This is the dream of creating ideas and having the support to bring them to life,” he said.
