For the opening of the Denver Art Museum’s Frederic C. Hamilton Building, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs commissioned Japanese artist Tatsuo Miyajima to create a major new piece of public art. The work, ‘ENGI’, conceived specifically for the Museum’s stunning four-story atrium, was unveiled during the building’s grand opening on October 7, 2006.

Central to the artist’s vision for ‘ENGI’ is the direct involvement of the people of Denver, making it a truly public piece of art. On August 9, after a short lecture from Miyajima and brief instructions from the volunteer staff, the workshop began. At the workshop, 80 diverse members of the community each was given a simple digital LED numeric device, set within a mirror, to adjust for the artist. The LED’s can count from 1 to 9 or 9 to 1. Participants set the rate at which their device counts.

The workshop was essential as a ceremonial event to give life to Miyajima’s ‘ENGI’. After the workshop, the 80 LED’s, as set by the people of Denver, were installed throughout the Museum atrium and begin counting. The LED’s, with their different colors (blue or white) and speeds, figuratively display a microcosm of the city of Denver and its residents. Visitors stepping into the Museum encounter the work in the atrium, and simultaneously see their own figures and the building reflected in the mirrors. Through these many layers of public participation, a resonance between the time setters and the visitors will emerge and echo within the new Hamilton Building.

Participation in ‘ENGI’ was open to all residents of metro Denver, with the intention to reflect the diverse backgrounds, ideas and individuals that make up the community. Selection of all participants was made by artist Tatsuo Miyajima.