About This Piece

Central to the artist’s vision for ‘ENGI’ was the direct involvement of the people of Denver, making it a truly public piece of art. 

The workshop to create ‘ENGI’ took place on August 9, 2006.  At the workshop, 80 diverse members of the community each were given a simple digital LED numeric device, set within a mirror, to adjust for the artist.  The LEDs, blue or white, count from 1 to 9 or 9 to 1.  Each participant set the rate at which their device counts. 

The workshop gave life to Miyajima’s ‘ENGI’.  After the workshop, the 80 LEDs, as set by the people of Denver, were installed throughout the museum atrium and began counting. 

The work figuratively displays a microcosm of our city and our residents.  It is a remarkable addition to Denver’s already impressive public art collection. 

All residents of metro Denver were invited to apply to participate in ‘ENGI’, with the intention to reflect the diverse backgrounds, ideas and individuals that make up the community. 

Miyajima is interested in using numbers and counting as a universal language which not only
conveys the idea of time but also allows the viewer insight into the idea of time as a means for connecting to
and reflecting on the human condition. Miyajima in interested in exploring three core concepts:
1 – Continuous Change: all things constantly change, nothing stays the same.
2 – Connection with Everything: there is a unity and harmony between all things.
3 – Infinite Continuation: all things continue forever in a constant evolution.
These concepts are being explored within the context of “ART IN YOU”. This is Miyajima’s belief that art is only
art with the involvement of others, for Miyajima art is a true collaboration, and can be created and appreciated
by anyone.