One-hundred paper mache hearts, each made of 100 $1 bills, will be hidden in various locations throughout the Denver metro area as an equal parts art installation and treasure hunt.
The choices for those lucky enough to find one: deconstruct and pocket the money, keep the heart in its original form, leave it for someone else to find, or give it to someone else.
"My hope is that it does confront people with the choice they have at hand," local artist Xander Phoenix said.
The temporary art installation titled "The Heart of Money" is an inaugural piece for Phoenix, a Colorado native who hopes to inspire fun and joy on the Valentine's Day holiday while also exploring the intersection of art and money.
"One of the questions that I'm hoping to inspire is like, what is our worth?" 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."
Each heart is made of $1 bills, water-soluble art glue, temporary spray paint and a gold wire. The hearts took about half an hour each to finish with the help of 30 community members.
Over the years growing up in Boulder and living in Denver, the CU Boulder and DU alum has thought about delving into his creative side. But it wasn't until his mother's passing less than six months ago that encouraged Phoenix to commit to seeing the project through.
"Part of what I took away from her being gone is that we're never guaranteed tomorrow," Phoenix said. "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."
How to join the treasure hunt
Teams of people will begin placing hearts on Valentine's Day at 10 a.m. with the hopes of finishing around 2 p.m.
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.
Participants are encouraged to share their stories on social media using the hashtag #theheartofmoney and follow the project on Instagram and Facebook as clues are revealed about where the remaining hearts might be hidden.
"Ultimately, my goal is to spread love and joy around Denver on Valentine's Day," Phoenix said.
