Airport banishes parts of suitcase art exhibit

DENVER – Two pieces of art, including a suitcase with a handle made from a box cutter, were removed from Denver International Airport after employees complained.

The art was part of an exhibit called “The Luggage Project” in which artists from around the world were asked to turn suitcases into art.

The other piece removed from the airport was a suitcase with an attached bumper sticker reading “Blood for oil. Billionaires for Bush,” a reference to a satirical group critical of President Bush.

Madeleine Hatz, who created the second suitcase, said she was trying to link the spilling of blood and oil. She complained that she was being censored.

“Art is controversial, and we have a right to freedom of speech,” she said.

Aviation co-manager Vicki Braunagel said she removed the pieces July 9, the same day the 43-piece, glass-enclosed exhibit opened on a walkway that comes before the security screening area.

Six employees complained, and Braunagel said the art was “inappropriate.” The terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks took control of the flights after threatening passengers with box cutters.