Public Art Installation Set On Fire In Denver's Civic Center Park
DENVER (CBS4) - Someone burned a piece of interactive public art in Civic Center Park overnight.
Authorities say either a woman or a group of people set fire to the art piece named "Tree of Transformation" at approximately 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday. The piece sits in the middle of the park.
As the director of Civic Center Conservancy, Scott Robson's job is to make sure Civic Center Park in Denver is a place that people want to go. It's not an easy job.
"It's a real challenge on a day to day basis," said Robson.
The incident left the front of the piano that's featured in the installation charred.
The "Tree of Transformation" by Denver artists Nick Geurts and Ryan Elmendorf is this year's selection of public art to attract people to the park.
The art piece had allowed people to sit at the piano and play some keys. They keys activate sounds from steel drums that are connected to the piano from above by cords.
"Tree of Transformation" has been in Civic Center Park since January. Because it's a high-traffic area, it's been a rough six months.
"It's had its share of vandalism unfortunately throughout the spring and summer, but last night's events have completely destroyed it," said Robson.
There is an investigation into who is responsible for destroying the art.
"It's really disheartening to see this kind of damage," said Robson.
Even though this piece was destroyed it won't stop his organization from bringing public art back to Civic Center Park, "We will go out this year and look for grants and donations from individuals and corporate partners to try to bring public art back into this park."
Last weekend a hit-and-run driver damaged a historic piece of Civic Center Park.
The vehicle slammed into the century old balustrade that lines a section on the north end.
LINK: GoFundMe To Rebuild The Tree Of Transformation
Michael Abeyta contributed to this report. He is a 4th generation Coloradan and a Multimedia Journalist for CBS4. His stories can be seen on CBS4 News at 5 & 6. He is on Twitter! Follow him @AbeytaCBS4.