Hello Jaoudat Karime

Thanks for your inquiry about Denver International Airport and the Art & Culture
Program. I will answer your specific questions first, and then if you need or would like
further information I am happy to help as best I can. Have a great day!
-Jennifer
1. General airport history:
Denver International Airport is the 15th-busiest airport in the world and the fifth-busiest airport
in the United States. With more than 53 million passengers traveling through the
airport each year, Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airline hubs in the
worlds largest aviation market. Here is a non-DIA written (but thorough) history of the
airport: http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2015/03/02/denver-international-airport-a-20year-history/
2. The original painter of the artwork and his cultural background I am unable to
locate in your message which painting you are inquiring about? Are you referring to
the Leo Tanguma murals that have been considered controversial?
A. Children of the World Dream Peace http://images.flydenver.com/Art-atDIA/Permanent-Works/Children-of-the-World-Dream-Peac/
B. Peace and Harmony with Nature http://images.flydenver.com/Art-atDIA/Permanent-Works/In-Peace-and-Harmony-with-Nature/
3. History behind the controversial aspects of the art and why they arose
4. Whether Denver culture had a large influence on the paintings
Here is an online interview with the artist by Zine Magazine that address some of his personal
approaches to the murals at DIA: http://www.zingmagazine.com/drupal/node/2039
Leo Tanguma "The Children of the World Dream of Peace" is a powerful mural expressing the
artist's desire to abolish violence in society. One part of the diptych exhibits the tragedy and
devastation of war and its impact on humanity. The mural then moves to images of smiling
children dressed in folk costumes from around the world celebrating peace prevailing over war.

Leo Tanguma "In Peace and Harmony with Nature" addresses environmental issues of the
world. One side of the mural shows children pouring out great sadness over the
destruction and extinction of life - human, flora and fauna. The other part depicts
humanity coming together to rehabilitate and celebrate nature and its diversity.

5. Your opinion on the arts controversy

Having been an art professional for over 25 years, I deeply appreciate each and every work of art
in the collection at DIA. There are over 30 pieces of permanent artworks at the airport as
part of DIAs Public Art Program. When the works were selected the goal was to feature a
collection that is as diverse as the community we serve. Our public art program was
established in 1988, under Mayor Federico Pea as part of the City and County of Denvers
Public Art Ordinance. Every piece of artwork here at DIA was approved by the DIA Art
Committee, Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs (DCCA) and several local community
members including the general public.

JENNIFER GARNER | JGEXHIBITS CURATORDenver International AirportGlobal Co

80249-6340(303) 342-2523 JENNIFER.GARNER@FLYDENVER.COM | WWW.FLYD

From: Jaoudat Karime [mailto:jaoudat104karime@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, March

23, 2016 12:42 PMTo: DIA Art - DIA <Art@flydenver.com>Subject: Airport information
request about mural art