Dermal Plate Gateway

By Punch | Mountair Park

There's one iconic sculpture in each park on the ArtLine: Mountair, Aviation, and Walker-Branch. These three sculptures, created by PUNCH, are the most significant on the ArtLine and inspire wonder, interaction and exploration. PUNCH created “interactive, memorable, and playful” sculptures based on discovery and excavation of Colorado’s state dinosaur, the stegosaurus (first fossils found just southwest of Lakewood). The sculptures include kinetic, functional and earth art installations – the types of art most desired by the community based on extensive input early in the project.

Dermal Plate Gateway is a kinetic sculpture that is experienced in a variety of ways as visitors walk through or around the sculpture and experience dynamic shadow patterns based on the stegosaurus dermal plate structure. The “plates” are designed to spin in the wind (like a pinwheel effect), thus constantly creating a unique experiential environment that changes based on certain times of the day. The sculpture is a beacon for the ArtLine from the W Line light rail and was strategically placed for that purpose. The sculpture is illuminated by LED lights at night.