Some say that Valentine’s Day exists solely as an excuse for smiling and romance amid February’s generally awful weather, but today in Denver, there’s a reason for a lot more than smiling—100 reasons to be specific.
An enterprising and artistic Deverite named Xander Phoenix has hidden 100 papier-mâché hearts made of one hundred $1.00 bills all around the Denver metropolitan area.
“The Heart of Money,” is a temporary art installation that delves into the intricate tapestry of human connections with currency, exploring the dynamic interplay between art and money, per the website.
“Beyond the traditional confines of galleries, ‘The Heart of Money’ transforms these often overlooked connections into a visual and emotional experience.”
Each of the 100 hidden hearts will have a QR code that when scanned takes its finder to a website with more information about the art installation and what to do next.
Finders are encouraged to get creative, and can choose, for example, to soak the papier-mâché heart in lukewarm water and turn it back into currency that they can use, or keep the art piece as-is and appreciate both its artistic value and the experience it provided.
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They could leave the heart for someone else to find, experience, and enjoy, or use it as a convenient gift for a loved one or a stranger on the street to brighten their day, but Phoenix also hopes to see other creative uses for the hearts and that which they contain.
“Ultimately, my goal is to spread love and joy around Denver on Valentine’s Day,” Phoenix said. “It’s a fun way to both create and connect community around some important themes. I hope everyone who goes out looking for the hearts and those who find them have as much fun as we’ve had creating and bringing this street art installation to life.”
“My mother unfortunately passed away just a few months ago,” he continued. “She was an award-winning filmmaker, a feminist, and an activist who was working on a fictionalized memoir of her life when she died. In many ways, this project is a tribute to her and a way to carry on her legacy.”
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