Lois Larson
The sculpture Blucifer, officially named Mustang, is a 32-foot-tall blue mustang with red glowing eyes located at the Denver International Airport. It was created by the late artist Luis Jimenez, who died when a 9000-pound portion of the sculpture fell on him. The sculpture is located outside the main entrance of the airport, and while there is no official viewing area, it can be seen from Pena Boulevard, the airport access road. While there is no parking close to the statue, people have been known to pull over for a quick look. So, can you see Blucifer from inside the airport? It seems that you can get a glimpse of it when driving to the airport, but it is mostly visible from outside the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Blucifer |
| Official Name | Mustang |
| Artist | Luis Jimenez |
| Location | Outside the main entrance to the Denver International Airport |
| Height | 32 feet |
| Weight | 9,000 lbs |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Colour | Blue |
| Eye Colour | Red |
| Eye Type | LED flood lights |
| First Displayed | February 2008 |
| Depicts | A mustang |
| Nickname Origin | Combination of "Blue" from its official name and "Lucifer" |
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What You'll Learn
Blucifer is a 32-foot-tall blue mustang statue with red eyes
Blucifer, or Blue Mustang, is a 32-foot-tall blue mustang statue with red eyes located on Peña Boulevard, just outside the main entrance to the Denver International Airport. The sculpture's glowing red eyes are LED floodlights set deeply into the head of the horse, looking out towards the Rocky Mountains. Even in the dead of night, when the body of the sculpture blends into the darkness, the eyes of Blucifer remain unwaveringly lit, bright red, keeping an eye on all who pass by. The eyes were installed as an homage to the neon workshop the artist, Luis Jiménez, worked in as a youth and as a tribute to his father, who owned a neon shop.
The name Blucifer was bestowed upon the sculpture by locals shortly after its unveiling, combining "Blue" from its official name, Blue Mustang, and "Lucifer," the archangel who fell from heaven and now rules the underworld. This name seemed fitting for the unveiled demon horse that rears tall outside the airport. The blue mustang is meant to represent the "wild" spirit of the old American West.
The sculpture was commissioned in 1993, two years before the airport it stands outside of opened. However, delays, including the tragic death of the artist in 2006, postponed its completion. Jiménez died when a 9,000-pound portion of the sculpture broke loose and severed one of his arteries. After his death, the sculpture was completed by his family, friends, and professional lowriders and racecar painters Richard LaVato and Camillo Nuñez. It was finally unveiled at the airport in 2008, although its dramatic colour and glowing red eyes, along with its anatomical correctness, have made it the subject of controversy and public disdain.
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It is located outside the Denver International Airport
Blucifer, officially named "Mustang", is a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a blue mustang with red glowing eyes located outside the Denver International Airport. It is situated on Peña Boulevard, which connects the airport to the city. The sculpture was created by the late artist Luis Jimenez, who died in 2006 when a 9,000-pound portion of the statue fell on him. His sons completed the remaining work, and the sculpture was finally installed in 2008.
The unique name "Blucifer" is a combination of "blue" from its official name and "Lucifer", the archangel who fell from heaven and now rules the underworld. This name was bestowed upon the sculpture by locals due to its eerie appearance. The red eyes, in particular, have been a source of fascination and have been described as soulless and demonic. However, these eyes are actually LED flood lights and are a tribute to the artist's father, who owned a neon-sign shop where the artist apprenticed as a child.
The sculpture has been a source of controversy since its unveiling, with some residents expressing distaste for its design and location. Despite this, it has become a well-known landmark for the airport and the city of Denver. It is often the first and last thing visitors remember seeing as they arrive and depart through the airport. While there is no official viewing area, many people have found ways to get a closer look, such as pulling over briefly on the side of the road near the sculpture.
The airport's senior vice president of communications, marketing, and customer service, Stacey Stegman, has expressed pride in the sculpture, referring to it as "a fierce blue mustang [...] a protector of travellers, guarding this airport". The sculpture has also been featured in popular culture, such as in the Netflix animated series "Inside Job", where it is portrayed as the entry point to a secret underground world.
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Blucifer was created by Luis Jimenez, who died in an accident with the statue in 2006
Blucifer, also known as "Mustang", is a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a mustang with red glowing eyes located at the Denver International Airport. It was created by Luis Jimenez and unveiled in February 2008, two years after Jimenez died in an accident with the statue in 2006.
The sculpture was commissioned in 1993, two years before the opening of the airport it stands outside of. However, delays postponed its completion. One of these delays was caused by the tragic death of Jimenez in 2006, when a 9,000-pound portion of the statue broke loose and severed one of the artist's arteries. Despite initial distaste for the sculpture, no petition has been brought forward to remove it.
The name "Blucifer" was bestowed upon the sculpture by locals, combining "blue" from its official name "Blue Mustang" and "Lucifer", the archangel who fell from heaven and now rules the underworld. The red eyes of Blucifer are particularly notable, remaining lit even in the dead of night, giving the sculpture an eerie appearance.
Blucifer has been featured in popular culture, including in the Netflix animated series "Inside Job", where it is portrayed as the portal to an underground world of weirdness. The sculpture has also been the subject of various conspiracy theories, adding to its notoriety.
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The sculpture is considered an artistic and pop culture icon
Blucifer, also known as "Mustang", is a 32-foot-tall sculpture of a horse located at Denver International Airport. It was created by the late artist Luis Jimenez, who died in 2006 when a 9,000-pound portion of the sculpture fell on him. The sculpture was eventually completed by Jimenez's sons and installed in 2008.
Blucifer is known for its dramatic colour, with a blue body and luminous red eyes that gaze towards the Rocky Mountains. The eyes, which are LED flood lights, have earned the sculpture the nickname "Blucifer", a combination of "blue" from its official name "Blue Mustang" and "Lucifer", the archangel who fell from heaven and now rules the underworld. The red eyes are also a tribute to the artist's father, who owned a neon-sign shop where Jimenez apprenticed as a child.
The sculpture's striking appearance and unique story have made it an iconic piece of art and a pop culture symbol. It has been featured in various media, including Netflix's animated series "Inside Job", where it is portrayed as a portal to an underground world of weirdness. Blucifer has also sparked controversy and divided public opinion, with some praising it as a point of pride for the airport, while others have called for its removal due to its demonic appearance.
Despite the initial outspoken distaste for Blucifer, no legitimate requests or petitions for its removal have been made. The sculpture has endured public scrutiny and extreme weather conditions, solidifying its place as a lasting fixture at Denver International Airport. Blucifer continues to captivate and intrigue travellers, leaving a lasting impression as one of the first and last things they see when passing through the airport.
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The eyes of the statue glow at night
The eyes of the statue, Blucifer, glow red at night, a haunting sight for those driving past on their way to or from Denver International Airport. The 32-foot-tall blue mustang sculpture, with its red glowing eyes, is an iconic and dramatic sight, loved and hated in equal measure. The eyes are LED floodlights, a tribute to the artist Luis Jimenez's father, with whom he apprenticed as a child in his neon-sign shop.
Blucifer's eyes are a striking feature, visible from the road, and they have been described as an "all-seeing gatekeeper" for those passing by. The statue's gaze is said to be "unwavering", even when the body of the sculpture is invisible in the dark. The red eyes have also been pointed to as evidence of the statue's demonic nature, with the name "Blucifer" itself a combination of "blue" from its official name "Blue Mustang", and "Lucifer", the fallen angel who rules the underworld.
The statue's eyes are a key part of its intrigue and have even been featured in popular culture, such as in the Netflix show "Inside Job", where the characters find a secret entrance beneath the statue, accessed by pressing a button, which causes the eyes to turn green.
While there has been outspoken distaste for the artwork, and even calls for its removal, Blucifer remains a point of pride for the airport, with its senior vice president of communications, marketing, and customer service, Stacey Stegman, referring to it as a "fierce blue mustang" and a "protector of travellers, guarding this airport".
For those wishing to see Blucifer's glowing eyes for themselves, the statue is located on Peña Boulevard, just before the airport, and while there is no official viewing area, drivers can get a good look at the statue as they round the last big curve before the airport terminal.
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Frequently asked questions
Blucifer is located on Peña Boulevard, outside the main entrance to the Denver International Airport.
While there is no official viewing area, Blucifer is located on the median between the access roads leading to and from the main terminal at Denver International Airport. So, it is possible to see the statue from inside the airport.
Blucifer is 32 feet tall.
Blucifer is made of polychromed fiberglass.
