Denver Airport Murals: What's The Hidden Message?

The Denver International Airport (DIA) is known for its unusual art installations, including two murals by local artist Leo Tanguma, which have sparked intrigue and numerous conspiracy theories. The murals, titled Children of the World Dream of Peace and In Peace and Harmony with Nature, explore themes of war, violence, environmental destruction, and hope for a peaceful future. Despite Tanguma's intention to advocate for a society without violence, the artworks have been interpreted by some as references to secret societies, apocalyptic predictions, and warnings of mass extinctions. The presence of these murals in an airport setting, along with other unique artwork, has fueled speculation about hidden meanings and a larger conspiracy surrounding the New World Order.

The artist behind the murals, Leo Tanguma, says they are a political commentary

The first mural, "In Peace and Harmony with Nature", references the social realist murals of Mexico and addresses the modern theme of environmental destruction. The first half of the mural shows children expressing sadness over the destruction of the environment and the extinction of animals, while the second half depicts humanity coming together to rehabilitate and celebrate nature. The second mural, "Children of the World Dream of Peace", consists of three panels. The first panel contains disturbing imagery, including a gas-masked soldier wielding a sword and gun, a caravan of refugees, a hiding child with a teddy bear, and a dead child in someone's arms. The second panel depicts the impending disasters brought on by climate change, with dead animals and humans lying in coffins, and children looking on with expressions of horror. The final panel is a scene of hope and optimism, with people of all races and nationalities embracing and smiling, and weapons of war being bundled in nationalistic flags.

Tanguma's desire for a society without violence is evident in his artwork. The themes of sadness, war, and environmental destruction are contrasted with images of happy children celebrating world peace, humanity moving past its aggressive tendencies, and the possibility of rehabilitating and celebrating nature.

Despite Tanguma's intentions, the murals have sparked numerous conspiracy theories over the years. Some see the artworks as predictions of the apocalypse, references to secret organizations, or representations of evil forces. The theories range from mass extinction events to the belief that the airport is part of a larger conspiracy centered around a group known as the New World Order. However, the consequences of these rumors have been far from funny for the Tanguma family, who have rarely been asked about the actual meaning behind the murals.

Conspiracy theories include predictions of the apocalypse and references to secret organisations

The murals at Denver International Airport (DIA) by artist Leo Tanguma and his daughter Leticia Tanguma have sparked conspiracy theories for decades. The artwork has been interpreted as predictions of the apocalypse and references to secret organisations, among other theories.

One of the main conspiracies is that a mass extinction event will soon occur, and DIA was built as a sanctuary for those selected to survive and emerge in a new world order. The plant that the children are gathered around in the mural "Children of the World Dream of Peace" has been interpreted as a symbol of this new world government. The first section of the mural shows a gas-masked soldier with a gun and sword, a caravan of refugees, a hiding child, and a dead child. The second section shows a celebration of young people with the soldier dead below them, with doves resting on his body.

The three-paneled mural has also been interpreted as a reference to the Illuminati, Reptilians, and the New World Order, with claims that it reveals how they will wipe out most of humanity. The "Au Ag" inscription on the mural is believed to refer to a virulent pathogen known as the Australian Antigen. However, in reality, it is used to diagnose and treat Hepatitis B.

The mural "In Peace and Harmony with Nature" has been interpreted as a prediction of the apocalypse, with one half showing a blissful nature setting, and the other half depicting forests burning, animal heads mounted on wooden plaques, and other creatures trapped in glass display boxes. This mural is meant to represent the sadness of war and the destruction of the environment, with the other half illustrating happy children from around the world celebrating world peace.

The delayed construction of the airport and the existence of another well-functioning airport in the Stapleton area have also fuelled conspiracy theories. Some claim that the airport was built as part of a larger conspiracy centred around the New World Order. The unusual artwork at the airport, such as the mustang sculpture nicknamed "Blucifer," has also contributed to the conspiracies surrounding DIA.

The murals are said to have fuelled speculation that the airport is part of a larger conspiracy

The murals at Denver International Airport (DIA) have sparked intrigue and speculation since their installation in 1995. Created by local artist Leo Tanguma and his daughter Leticia Tanguma, the artworks have fuelled numerous conspiracy theories, with some speculating that the airport is part of a larger conspiracy.

One of the most prominent theories centres around the idea of a "New World Order" (NWO). Conspiracy theorists interpret the murals as predictions of a future mass extinction event, orchestrated by a powerful group to establish a new world government. The murals' imagery of destruction, warfare, and environmental concerns is seen as symbolic of this impending catastrophe. The presence of children in the murals, such as in "Children of the World Dream of Peace," further fuels speculation, with theories suggesting that DIA was built as a sanctuary for those selected to survive the extinction event.

The Tangumas have repeatedly denied these conspiracy theories, stating that the true intention behind the murals is to highlight social issues and advocate for a better world. Leo Tanguma has expressed his desire for a society without violence, and his artwork reflects this, portraying the sadness of war and the hope for world peace. However, despite their clarifications, the conspiracy theories surrounding the airport and the murals persist.

The delayed construction of the airport, as well as other artworks within the airport, such as the mustang sculpture nicknamed "Blucifer," have only added fuel to the fire of these theories. Some even speculate that the coordinates for the airport appeared in the 1977 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," further contributing to the air of mystery surrounding the location.

While many find these theories entertaining, the impact on the Tanguma family has been less amusing. The artists have rarely been consulted about the true meaning of their work, and their intentions have often been misinterpreted and twisted to fit various conspiracy narratives. Despite the far-fetched nature of many of these theories, they continue to capture the public's imagination, showcasing the power of art to spark dialogue and speculation.

The murals have been called satanic and people have said they should be destroyed

The murals at Denver International Airport, created by artist Leo Tanguma and his daughter Leticia Tanguma, have sparked conspiracy theories for decades. The artwork has been accused of being satanic and some have even called for its destruction.

The murals, "Children of the World Dream of Peace" and "In Peace and Harmony with Nature", explore themes of warfare, environmental destruction, and the hope for a peaceful future. However, some interpret the artwork as having darker meanings, such as references to a New World Order, secret societies, and impending apocalypse. The presence of disturbing imagery, such as a gas-masked soldier and mounted animal heads, has fuelled these theories.

The conspiracy theories surrounding the Denver Airport murals are not new. In fact, they began before the murals were even completed in the early 1990s. The artists have recalled people coming into the studio and warning them about a "New World Order", telling them not to finish the murals. Despite the artists' intentions, the public interpretation of the artwork has been far from what they envisioned.

The Tanguma family has faced serious consequences due to these conspiracy theories. Their studio in Houston was destroyed in a suspected arson attack, and they decided to start anew in Denver. However, the conspiracy theories followed them, and the family continues to deal with the impact of these rumours.

While some may find the conspiracies laughable, the accusations and interpretations of the artwork as satanic and evil have led to calls for its destruction, as well as personal attacks on the artists themselves. This reaction to the artwork highlights how art can be subject to varying interpretations and how these interpretations can have real-world impacts on the artists and their intentions.

The artwork references the social realist murals of Mexico

The artwork at Denver International Airport has sparked intrigue and interest over the years, with some even calling it weird. The murals, created by artist Leo Tanguma and his daughter Leticia Tanguma, have been at the centre of attention for decades, with many speculating about their meaning and others criticising them.

One of the murals, "In Peace and Harmony with Nature", has been compared to the social realist murals of Mexico. This mural explores the artist's desire for a world without violence. It is divided into two sections, with one side portraying the destruction caused by humans and the potential end of life, while the other side depicts a positive vision of humans uniting to restore the planet. This theme of human liberation and democracy is a common one in Tanguma's work. The artist has previously created murals that portray injustice and potential solutions, including a mural honouring the Mexican-American movement for civil rights in California.

"In Peace and Harmony with Nature" also resembles Mexican social realist murals in its exploration of environmental concerns. The mural addresses modern worries about the destruction of nature and the potential for humanity to create a better world. This theme is also present in another mural at the airport, "La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra", which translates to "Our Land Has Memory". This mural by Baca represents the migration of Mexicans to Colorado during the Mexican Revolution and features historical Latino figures who fought for equity in Colorado.

The Denver International Airport has been called the "Best U.S. Airport for Art" by USA Today, and the artwork within it continues to spark conversation and debate.

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