Yoshitomo Saito

You Might Recognize:

Nil

Public Art Average Success Rate:

0%

 Rejected Project Proposal

Proposed Project Location:

Minoru Yasui Building

Concept:

In 2008, I applied for a public art project at the Minoru Yasui Building, situated adjacent to the Webb Building in downtown Denver on Colfax Avenue, with a budget of $125,000.

During my research, I discovered that Minoru Yasui was a Japanese lawyer who assisted interned Japanese American citizens after World War II. His significant contributions were widely admired and recognized in Colorado. As a Japanese artist, it was an honor for me to propose a project for a building named after him.

My proposal involved a simple repetition of bronze canvases with a blue-green patina, displayed on the wall of the elevator shaft. Small numbers were placed in the lobby for close viewing, while the remaining pieces adorned the exterior of the elevator column, ascending upwards. This design was inspired by Brancusi's well-known public art piece, the Endless Column in Romania. The elevator's constant movement mirrored life's ups and downs, while the blue-green color symbolized endless hope. Given that the building housed rehabilitation and retraining programs for ex-convicts and other disadvantaged individuals, I believed the symbolism of my work was particularly fitting.

Regrettably, my proposal was rejected. The committee opted for a conceptual video projection by a white New York artist instead. While his work was intriguing, I immediately questioned its suitability for a public art project. The video projection was a temporary exhibition, lasting no more than one premiere showing on the spot in late 2009. The work disappeared, evaporating without a trace, implying that the Denver Public Art program had allocated $125,000 of taxpayers' money to an inadequate and ephemeral piece.

Knowing that my bronze creation would endure as long as the building stood, the rejection was especially disheartening. Unfortunately, despite applying for over 100 local opportunities since then, I have yet to secure a single spot for public art.

"I Regret to Inform You..." Artist Response:

Disappointed by the lack of long term view for the public art collection, cultural understanding on minority issues as well as the very lack of support for the local minority artist by the Denver Public Art project coordinators and committee members.