Skynets Artistic Rendering - by Brittney Greulich
Look Up and Experience the City in a New Way
This summer, Downtown Denver becomes the canvas for a globally recognized temporary aerial art series at three public locations. Created by Colorado-based artist Patrick Shearn and Poetic Kinetics, the Skynet Art Series has appeared around the world, most often in expansive natural settings such as parks, waterfronts and botanical gardens. Denver’s installations are uniquely woven into active downtown spaces, stretching across Skyline Park, crossing over 16th Street at Glenarm Plaza and floating above the fountain at Union Station.
Made from thousands of hand-attached ribbons constructed from ultra-light material, each installation is kinetic, responding to changing wind and weather conditions. The canopies appear almost weightless as they ripple and shimmer in a light breeze, while stronger gusts can transform the artwork into soaring waves of color overhead. No two visits are ever the same.
Skynets Over Downtown will be free to experience all summer and into the fall. The materials will then be recycled by the artist, leaving behind shared memories and moments captured with the artwork.
Anchored by 16th Street from Denver Union Station to Glenarm Plaza, "Skynets Over Downtown" is a series of three site-specific floating kinetic sculptures, designed to be experienced together. Visitors can walk, roll or cycle between the sites or use RTD's 16th Street FreeRide to explore each artwork.
Installation of the series begins at Union Station on June 11, with "Sun Splash" scheduled to be fully installed by June 19. "Quaking Gold" at Glenarm Plaza is expected to be installed by June 25, with "Skyline Drift" at Skyline Park following in July.
Anticipated June 19 (The fountain will be closed June 11–19 for installation)
"Sun Splash" reflects the movement and energy of Union Station through bold graphic patterns and horizontal lines inspired by downtown Denver’s architecture and street grid. As wind moves through the canopy of more than 16,000 ribbons, those rigid lines dissolve into a soft, fluid dance above the fountain.
Anticipated June 25
In harmony with the artist’s permanent public artwork Aspen Light, also located in Glenarm Plaza, "Quaking Gold" celebrates Colorado’s iconic fall aspen groves through shimmering canopies of nearly 17,000 ribbons. Waves of gold sweep across 16th Street bringing the movement and beauty of the mountains into the heart of downtown.
Anticipated in July
"Skyline Drift" creates a floating oasis of color that stretches across Block 3 of Skyline Park, anchored to the park’s trees and softening the surrounding urban landscape. Inspired by Colorado’s high-altitude breezes, the installation drifts and flows with the wind, inviting visitors to linger, play and experience the park in a new way.
ARTWORK LOCATIONS
The experience at sunrise will look different than at sunset. A windy day will feel different than a calm one. A busy lunch hour or a playdate at the fountain will feel different than an evening stroll on 16th Street.
Pause for a moment. What happens when you slow down and look up? What patterns in nature do you see? Listen closely. How do the sounds of the city and wind interact? Explore the installations from different angles and discover your favorite view.
Capture your memories and share them with us by using #DenverSkynets and tagging @DenverArts and @PoeticKinetics.
Continue to check back here or follow our social channels for updates on the artwork and accompanying programming announcements.
Patrick Shearn’s signature collection of suspended kinetic aerial sculptures has appeared in 8 countries and 13 U.S. cities, with each artwork created specifically for its site. Inspired by the synchronized movements of nature—like murmuring starlings, schooling fish and rustling forest canopies—these artworks are made from thousands of colorful streamers attached to engineered mesh netting. Suspended above urban environments, the Skynets reveal the movement of the wind, transforming static architecture into dynamic canopies that invite the public to pause, look up and experience the city in a new way.
This project is presented by Denver Arts & Venues, Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), Denver Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) and Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) as part of a broader effort to support local businesses, attract visitors and build continued momentum downtown. It is also made possible through the close collaboration of many partners, including Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) and Regional Transportation District (RTD).
For questions about this project, please contact Downtown Projects team at Denver Arts & Venues.