Behold National Velvet a towering red sculpture. It stands near the 16th Street Pedestrian Bridge. This isn’t your average public art. It’s a conversation starter a head-scratcher. Artist John McEnroe created this unique piece in 2008. It’s one of Denver’s most talked-about artworks.
National Velvet is an obelisk. It’s 20 feet tall and made of fiberglass aluminum paint and resin. Its unusual shape has inspired many descriptions. Some see a pile of raw beef others sausage links or even human intestines. The artist himself says it represents nothing. It’s an abstract work born from a studio experiment.
The original design was quite different. McEnroe planned a piece under the pedestrian bridge. This would use retro-reflective tape. However engineering concerns changed his plans. He repurposed materials from his studio. He used nylon similar to industrial-grade pantyhose. He poured sand into the nylon creating unique shapes. He called these sand-filled nylon units bricks. These bricks were stacked to form National Velvet’s unique form.
After the structure reached four feet McEnroe coated it in resin. He then removed the sand. This left a hollow candy shell. The interior is now lit by fluorescent lights. It is quite light. McEnroe and his assistant could easily move the sections by hand. A hot rod shop painted the final piece. The vibrant red hue contrasts the urban landscape. The final coat was yacht paint. It is surprisingly resilient. McEnroe worries about it blowing over in a storm.
The name National Velvet is a happy accident. McEnroe was watching the 1944 film of the same name while working. The title captivated him. He liked its grandness and excitement. He decided to use it for his sculpture. National Velvet is more than just a sculpture. It’s a testament to creativity. It’s a playful yet thought-provoking piece of art. It continues to spark debate and wonder among Denver residents and visitors. And that’s precisely the point isn’t it?