‘Liberty’ statue stands 58 feet tall above Aurora, rivaling size of ‘Blucifer’
Standing at almost twice the height of Denver International Airport’s famed Blucifer horse statue, a 58-foot-tall contemporary rendition of the Statue of Liberty now glimmers in the sunlight in east Aurora.
The new statue, “Liberty,” rivaling the size of 32-foot-tall Blucifer, went up over the weekend near the future entrance to The Aurora Highlands master planned community off Interstate 70.
“Liberty” was created by Belgian artist Michael Benisty as a modern interpretation of the State of Liberty, symbolizing unity, courage and hope, according to the artist. The statue made its first appearance at the 2024 Burning Man festival, was stored in Reno, Nevada, and has now found its way to Aurora.
Weighing 37,000 lbs., the statue is made of mirrored polished stainless steel and is the newest addition to the Arts in the Park initiative at The Aurora Highlands.
A two-mile walk through Hogan Park at Highlands Creek will take walkers past a variety of art installations, including “Liberty” and “Umi,” artist Daniel Popper’s sculpture depicting “the convergence of a woman and a tree” that went up in late 2023. Over the next several years, The Aurora Highlands developers will continue to add more than 20 public art installations to the walk for the public to view, according to its website.
Carla Ferreira, the CEO of The Aurora Highlands, prides herself on bringing world-renowned art to the community, where it can be accessible to all, she said in a press release.
“When I first saw (“Liberty”) at Burning Man last year, I knew she belonged in Aurora, a city that proudly embraces people from all backgrounds,” Ferreira said. “To see her now, permanently installed at The Aurora Highlands, is a milestone not just for our community, but for what we stand for. It’s no accident that she stands at our future entrance off I-70. We want everyone to know that this is a place where all are welcome.”
“Liberty’s” creator, Benisty, wrote a companion poem to the statue, which is displayed alongside it.
“With ‘Liberty,’ I wanted to reimagine one of the most powerful symbols of freedom for a new generation,” Benisty said in the press release. “Now that she’s been installed in Aurora, she’s more beautiful than I ever imagined. I’m honored that this sculpture has found a permanent home where her message can inspire people from all walks of life.”
To access the statue, visitors can take 26th Avenue and turn left on the temporary construction road or explore the entirety of Hogan Park at Highlands Creek.
Read article at DenverGazette.com
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