Biennial of the Americas Fills Denver Mall With Inflatable Art

Have you ever wondered what happens when the city’s emptiest spaces become its loudest art?

If you’ve walked past the Denver Pavilions Mall recently, you’ve likely noticed the quiet tension of vacant storefronts. It’s a familiar sight for anyone who has spent time in downtown Denver, where the rhythm of commerce often slows to a whisper. But this weekend, that silence is about to break. The Biennial of the Americas is installing “oxímoron,” a massive inflatable art piece that transforms the mall’s hollow corridors into a vibrant, breathing landscape.

The installation is by Mexican-Argentinian artists Pablo Kobayashi and Lucía Aumann, and it sits at the center of the Biennial’s mission to reimagine urban space. FloraJane DiRienzo, the executive director of the Biennial, explained that the choice to use empty spaces is deliberate. “There are layers to it,” she said. “That first layer is what do we imagine for our spaces in downtown Denver, then the second layer, on top of that, is when we look at the Americas, it’s this huge swath of land that we share borders with. And we think curiosity and connection that can help us ask bigger questions around what is space.”

The Biennial has a history of filling voids. In 2015, it occupied the newly built Triangle Building near Union Station. In 2017, it took over the former Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Last year, it claimed seven empty shopfronts on 16th Street. This year, the focus shifts to the Denver Pavilions Mall, a building that has been grappling with its own identity. The colorful, immersive nature of “oxímoron” offers a stark contrast to the gray concrete surrounding it.

For locals, the event is a chance to engage with art that doesn’t require a museum ticket. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. on Glenarm Plaza, with the installation itself located at 500 16th Street Mall, Suite 120. While reservations to walk through the piece are currently full, DiRienzo encouraged visitors to stop by anyway, noting that they will be taking walk-ups depending on available space.

Beyond the art, the weekend offers other immersive experiences. In Breckenridge, the Backstage Theater hosts “Last Call,” a murder mystery performance where attendees are tasked with solving the crime. Shows run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily through October 31. Meanwhile, in Longmont, the Rocky Horror Show continues its run at the Longmont Theatre Company, with tickets selling out quickly for late-night performances, including a special 10:30 p.m. showing on Halloween.

As the lights dim on the empty mall and the inflatable structures rise, the boundary between architecture and artwork blurs. The air hums with anticipation, carrying the scent of fresh paint and the distant echo of laughter. For a few days, the void speaks, and it sounds like color.