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The Blue
Trees Project

Denver, Colorado

Industry
  • Mixed-Use
  • Public Art
Region
  • Mountain West
Scope
  • Art Activation
Client
  • Denver Theater District
Highlights:

  • 3,400 linear feet (over 16 city blocks) of Denver Theatre District activated

  • 156 trees colored with environmentally safe, non-toxic, natural blue pigment

  • 200 saplings colored and planted at Castro Elementary School

  • 8 community partners

  • Winner of the Mayoral Design Awards

  • Impetus for Mayoral Proclamation of April 24, 2017 as Blue Art Day

Press/Media

  • May 8, 2017, “The Real-Life Lorax Talks About Painting Trees Blue in Denver,” 303 Magazine

  • May 1, 2017, “What’s with All The Blue Trees? Public Art Project takes over Denver Theatre District,” The Denver Post

  • April 27, 2017, “Denver Theatre District Art for Everyone,” Colorado & Company

  • April 25, 2017, “Downtown Denver’s Trees Are Turning Blue—For Good Reason,” 5280

  • April 24, 2017, “Artist Konstantin Dimopoulos Is Painting Trees Blue in the Denver Theatre District,” Westword

  • April 24, 2017, “Mayor Hancock Breaks Out Brush, Starts Painting Trees Blue,” CBS Denver

  • April 24, 2017, “Artist Turns Denver’s Trees Blue to Raise Awareness About Deforestation,” Denver 7

  • April 18, 2017, “Denver Trees Are Turning Green, But Also Blue,” CBS Denver

  • March 9, 2017, “Downtown Denver Trees Will Turn Blue This April,” 303 Magazine

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The Story

Bringing awareness of global deforestation and the importance of trees to people and their environment, The Blue Trees by internationally renowned artist Konstantin Dimopolous served as the first installation for our Terra Firma series. We were approached by The Denver Theatre District to curate a series of art installations, collectively called Terra Firma, to activate the District, a 16-block area of downtown Denver and private nonprofit funded through a revenue share collected from advertising on static and LED screens throughout the District. Working closely with Denver’s Public Works, Forestry, and The Park People to identify healthy trees to color, Dimopolous and a team of volunteers over a 6-week period colored 156 trees blue with a biologically-safe, water-based, non-permanent colorant that would naturally degrade over 12 months.
In addition to the art installation, The Blue Trees encompassed dozens of family-friendly and free events including musical performances, wellness events, and educational lectures. Family Fun Day gave families the opportunity to color 200 saplings that were then planted at Castro Elementary School and throughout the city by the Forestry Service. This large-scale art installation positions the Theatre District as a forward-thinking arts institution dedicated to civic engagement and environmental responsibility.
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