New World Order Mural

It starts conversations, freaks people out and is thought provoking — really gets the conspiracy theories going… sometimes truth is stranger than fiction so you never know! Definitely worth checking out just for the creep factor alone…

The best kind of art is that which evokes reaction and discussion. Leo Tanguma’s «New World Order» murals at DIA certainly do that. However, it’s regrettable that the typical reaction from observers is «WTF!!!»
If you want an entertaining read, google «New World Order Mural» and let the fun begin. I’ll bet even the most jaded of you will drop your jaws at the bevy of conspiracy theories and bizarre, outlandish stories associated with DIA and these paintings.
Kookiness aside, the artistic merits of the murals deserve comment. The imagery is off-​putting and disturbing. Dead children in coffins, a towering Nazi-​like figure adorned in a gas-​mask, a line of women carrying dead babies… Yikes! Oddly, there’s a rainbow extending over the head of the Nazi. Stylistically, there’s distortion in some of the figures. Limb proportions aren’t always correct, and the faces of the young children aren’t very attractive. To top off the assault to your senses, the colors are garish.
To sum up, I’m not a fan, but I have to give props to Mr. Tanguma. He certainly has some major cojones to create a piece of public art brimming with odd, creepy symbolism and install it in an airport of all places. On a positive note, at least it doesn’t have too many phallic symbols. *snicker*

I’ll preface this review by saying that, while I’m not one of those total nutball conspiracy theorists, I do find that sort of stuff fascinating. I watch «Ghost Hunters» and listen to Coast-​to-​Coast AM. I don’t think we’re alone in this universe, but I’m not ready to admit the world is coming to an end in December of 2012 (mostly because I’ve got stuff to do and I’m not ready for armagaeddon just yet).
That said, I’m well-​versed on the whole pile of craziness that is the so-​called «New World Order Mural» at DIA.
According to the artist himself, the mural (which is designed in several parts) is nothing to be frightened of. «The first part of the environmental mural is about the ways that humans destroy nature and themselves through destruction and genocide,» he says, «the second part is about humanity coming together to rehabilitate nature and revive their own compassion.»
O-​kaaaay. But if you’ll check out the pics taken by michelle r., you might not agree. They’re kind of scary. No… they’re REALLY scary. Just what someone wants to see right before they board a metal tube bound for 30,000 feet above the earth, right?
Minus two stars for freaking people out. Like flying isn’t enough of a nightmare nowadays?
I don’t know if there’s a hive of underground chambers deep below the airport, all set to hide away America’s Powers-​That-​Be when that proverbial poop finally hits that proverbial fan… and it’s probably best that I don’t. Suffice it to say, I’m probably not on the guest list.
I also don’t know if the Masons had their sneaky little mitts all up in the construction of DIA, nor do I care. Yes, there are Masonic symbols all over the place. There’s also a great deal of stonework. Coincidence? Conspiracy? Or… *gasp*…are the StoneMasons actually masons… who work with stone?
*cue dramatic music*
But back to that mural. That creepy, unnerving, unsettling mural. If you believe that the artist, one Leo Tanguma, is channeling world’s end prophecy from somewhere far beyond… well that’s just nifty. I’m not convinced. I AM convinced that it probably isn’t the best design for a place as already-​stressful as an airport, though. But if nothing else, it makes for good conversation.

I didn’t mean to walk into a shit storm when I chose to review this mural. That’s just what you’ll get if you research this extremely weird mural at DIA. There are theorists who believe it is about a holocaust, or the end of the world as we know it, and that it has something to do with the secret society of the masonic lodge, and/​or even the secret underground buildings beneath the airport itself. What a cluster F***!
The artist, Leo Tanguma, from Chicago painted this mural in 1995, and he received help from local art students. He thinks of the mural as representing human dignity for all people, and as, the children of the world dreaming of peace. Although, he may have scared the children of the world who have walked through DIA.
It comes fully illustrated with a scary (storm trooper-​esc) soldier carrying a huge sword, donning a gas mask. A dead baby being carried by a grieving (Mother-​Mary like) mom. Three female’s dead and in coffins. Children huddled under blankets in the dark, laying on bricks. Endangered animals in glass boxes and encased in nets. Fire, smoke, and red clouds billowing from the earth. A dove stuck to the end of a scary sword. Huge bundles of swords wrapped in National flags, carried by small children of the world, dressed in their native regalia. A sweet blond (German looking) boy striking a sword with a hammer. Finally a dead soldier who looks like he’s made of stone or steel.
The colors are the most offensive part, in this artists opinion. They are overpowering, offensive, and may be meant to ward off the direct viewer. Avert your eyes, it’s a lot to take in. The mural, (which is actually a series of four murals at DIA,) comes equipped with a touching poem written by a 14 year old child who died at an Auschwitz concentration camp.
The artist, I believe, is highly misunderstood. I really think he wanted to show the suffering of war, the war ending, and the birth of a new of commitment of peace in the world. Unfortunately there is little or no editing done by the artist. The visitor to DIA (and his child) doesn’t feel welcomed by such gruesome images of war, death, and human suffering, in this time of war. (Not to mention his garish color choices.) Bad artist!
I do have to give him an extra star for creating controversy though. All artists like to have their artwork talked about. It’s just like the starlets who tout, «there’s no such thing as bad press.» Whatever keeps him in the spotlight.