Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Apparently, Denton and the team from ELS knew they were pulling a fast one, because they call it an "installation" rather than a sign. In this way, they add insult to injury, getting public funding meant for art, using it to pay for a sign and then ridiculing contemporary art by pretending it's an example of conceptualism. This idea might have flown had the ELS sign simply read "Denver"--it could then arguably be a work of art, even if the motivation for its creation was to get free money. But once the word "Pavilions" is tacked on, it leaves these arguments behind, because the sign is simply advertising.

When Pei's Zeckendorf Plaza filled the block where the Adam's Mark Hotel addition now stands, it was a place to see. Now it isn't. Kummer could have been forced to save it and reuse it had Powers only had the vision--because she sure had the power. Though there is little need to visit the Adam's Mark Hotel, the Denver Pavilions does have its distinct attractions. So when you find yourself lingering over the smoked-duck pizza at the Wolfgang Puck Cafe or picking up that new Puff Daddy CD at the Virgin Megastore, pause and consider that sign. Had DURA's Powers made Denton play by the rules, the sign would still be there, but there would also be a quarter of a million dollars' worth of public art.

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