DENVER (KDVR) — A colorful, 26-foot-long sculpture with nearly 200 stories behind it was unveiled for millions of travelers to see at the Denver International Airport.
The sculpture, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” was made by Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans. According to a release from DIA, Evans built the sculpture using 183 donated pieces of luggage, each with a unique story.
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The airport said the piece was “inspired by the idea that life is always in perpetual motion and it’s our luggage that carries the items we hold dear.”
The sculpture is an oval of colorful bags hung from the ceiling, and its shape varies depending on the point of view. It’s 26 feet long, 12 feet wide and eight feet tall, according to the release.
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The sculpture, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” was made by Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans using 183 donated pieces of luggage, each with a unique story behind it.
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The sculpture, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” was made by Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans using 183 donated pieces of luggage, each with a unique story behind it.
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The sculpture, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” was made by Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans using 183 donated pieces of luggage, each with a unique story behind it.
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The sculpture, “It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back,” was made by Denver-based artist Thomas “Detour” Evans using 183 donated pieces of luggage, each with a unique story behind it.
DIA said more information about the stories behind the bags and the Coloradans who donated them will be posted on the arts page of the airport’s website in February.
“The sculpture’s shape evokes the take-off and landing of airplanes, representing the movement of passengers, while its colors mirror Colorado’s vibrant sunrises and sunsets. As travelers’ eyes follow the flow of the luggage, they see the bags metaphorically taking off during the day and landing at night, then taking off at night and landing in the day,” the website said.
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The sculpture is designed to highlight aspects of Colorado’s culture and history, and invite passengers to learn more about Colorado, the airport said.
The art piece was selected in 2022 by a panel of community representatives, arts and culture professionals and civic leaders, according to the release. Funding for the project came from the airport’s Gate Expansion Program construction budget.
The new sculpture is located in Concourse B near gate B60.
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