THE PEOPLE'S PROJECTOR
Night Lights Denver is a permanent way for The Denver Theatre District to support innovative artists with an experimental platform while attracting people downtown to experience a free, unique experience.
Our vision for this project is that Night Lights Denver truly becomes ‘the people’s projector,’ encouraging Denver to participate and contribute – including the international, national and locally-based artists we pay for commissioned artworks, schools and people walking through the district. Night Lights Denver partners include Downtown Denver Partnership, Orange Barrel Media and the Daniels & Fisher Tower.
ABOUT
The Denver Theatre District
The Denver Theatre District (DTD) enlivens a 16-block area of downtown Denver through interactive, immersive and experimental art and culture events and experiences. It provides creatives with a downtown platform and financial support for sharing their work. The DTD is a private non-profit funded through a revenue share collected from advertising on static and LED screens located throughout the District. The Denver Theatre District invests its outdoor media revenues in cultural and art-based experiences, most of which are free to the public. This model is the first of its kind, setting an example for cities nationwide in how to leverage private revenue streams to fund public art and activity.
Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership implements a place-based economic development strategy to support its vision for an economically healthy, vibrant and growing downtown. Through creative public realm activation with a focus on iconic, inclusive public art, the Partnership is building a thriving center city – a place for the community to come together for meaningful interactions and memorable experiences. The Partnership convenes the public, private and philanthropic sectors to drive progress forward in Downtown Denver to the benefit of all those who live, work and play downtown.
Every Tuesday through Sunday evenings
July 2 - July 26 (Tues - Sun only)
9:00pm - 11:00pm
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July 28 - July 31 (Tues - Sun only)
8:45pm - 11:00pm
---August 2020 (Tues - Sun only)
8:30pm - 10:30pm
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FEATURED ART PIECES
Artist Name: Narkita Gold
Artwork title: Black in Denver, a portrait and interview series
Artist statement: Black in Denver is inspired by the vision of a world where all people can be authentic expressions of themselves. Gold’s series takes a critical look at identity, and seen through the lens of those photographed and interviewed, the series supports and demonstrates the notion that blackness, and identity in general, is not a monolith. In a society where Black people are often stereotyped and seen as homogenous, she hopes to change the narrative and raise awareness about the power of being one’s self.
Website: http://www.blackindenver.com/
Date: July 2020
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Note: Special thanks to series participants, Tya Anthony and Philip Clapham. Follow Narkita on Instagram @blackindenver
Artist Name: Michael Stone & Christian Barreto Salgado
Artwork title: Votive // Defixio
Artist statement: Rather than a singular idea, we wanted to offer old gods in a digital presence to perform a cleanse or dispel a curse from the current global climate. By dispensing digital protocols, by distancing ourselves from individual methods, we are utilizing the clock tower as a monument to the ancient ways.
Website: @automataduck and @pleasure.wave on Instagram
Date: July 2020
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Artist Name: Nari Ward
Artwork title: LAZARUS Beacon, 2020
Artist statement: The title and concept of the work references American poet and activist Emma Lazarus's sonnet “The New Colossus” published in 1883, which appears on a bronze plaque in the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. The sonnet was written to help fund the project and expresses the credo of America as a maternal country where all exiles and immigrants are welcome. Ward’s LAZARUS Beacon isolates and highlights the subjects of this poem, among them the tired and poor––all of those to whom the country has promised to offer shelter.
Website: https://www.nariwardstudio.com/
Date: July 2020
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Note: This project is curated by Diana Nawi and produced by OBM.
Artist Name: Students of the Spatial Video Class at the University of Denver
Artwork title: Black Lives Matter
Artist statement: This piece was created by the students of the Spatial Video Class at the University of Denver to raise awareness of Black Americans who have been killed by police. The video includes a non-comprehensive list of victims in the United States since 2014.
Website: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Date: July 2020
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Note: Inaction ensures these deaths will continue. Please visit the Black Lives Matter website to learn about ways you can make a difference.
Artist Name: David Fodel
Artwork title: Watercolor
Artist statement: Watercolor is a meditation on the visible and invisible processes that ebb and flow through our lives; perceptually, energetically, culturally, economically and spiritually.
Website: http://www.davidfodel.com/
Date: July 2020
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Artist Name: Rainbow Militia featuring Amber Blais, Elizabeth Smith, and Staza Stone
Artwork title: Anti-Gravity
Artist statement: Circus has been a healing part of the lives of each of the artists in this video, from stress relief to getting through depression to moving past issues of body dysmorphia, it is amazing what our bodies can do and is the perfect illustration of the strength that resides within all of us. We are all capable of defying gravity.
Website: https://www.rainbowmilitiaaerial.com/
Date: July 2020
Time: 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Note: Thank you to Daniel Sharkey for filming and editing this piece.
CONTACT
Say hello and feel free to ask questions.
info@nightlightsdenver.com