It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back by Thomas “Detour” Evans
B Gates, Near Gate B60
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Art at Den
B Gates, Near Gate B60
Thomas Evans, a.k.a. Detour, is an all-around creative specializing in large scale public art, interactive visuals, portraiture, immersive spaces and creative directing. His focus is to create work where art and innovation meet. A born collaborator and “military brat,” Detour pulls from every conceivable experience that shapes his landscapes and perspectives.
Explaining Detour’s work is no easy task, as ongoing experimentations in visual art, music and interactive technologies have his practice continually expanding. With his ever-evolving approach to art, Detour’s focus is on expanding customary views of creativity and challenging fine-art paradigms by mixing traditional mediums with new approaches—all the while opening up the creative process from that of a singular artist, to one that thrives on multi-layered collaboration and viewer participation.
It’s Not What You Take, It’s What You Bring Back is inspired by the idea that life is always in motion, with our luggage symbolizing the cherished items we carry through our journeys. The sculpture consists of 183 upcycled luggage pieces donated by Colorado residents. During the donation process, contributors were encouraged to share stories about their luggage, offering travelers a chance to connect with the history and significance of each piece.
The sculpture’s shape evokes the take-off and landing of airplanes, representing the movement of passengers, while its colors mirror Colorado’s vibrant sunrises and sunsets. As travelers’ eyes follow the flow of the luggage, they see the bags metaphorically taking off during the day and landing at night, then taking off at night and landing in the day.
Elements surrounding the sculpture highlight key aspects of Colorado’s culture and history, adding layers of meaning to the piece. Designed to be welcoming and engaging, the artwork invites passengers to learn more about Colorado while offering a heartfelt farewell to those departing on their journeys.
