SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS LAS VEGAS, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
When I first moved back to the United States I had to stay in Los Angeles over a weekend to pickup my car that had been in storage for three years. When I had picked up it up I started the journey to where my new home will be, Las Vegas. The five hour journey is mostly filled with a desert canvas that slightly changes as you drive through it.
Taking Interstate-15 (I-15) North all the way till I got to Nevada, one of the first things I saw was Whiskey Pete’s Casino and the Prizm Outlets shopping center. As I continued towards Las Vegas right outside the outskirts of the city I noticed some colorful rocks with a crowd of people gathered around them. At the moment I thought nothing of it, but one year later, I finally went to visit the art piece named ‘Seven Magic Mountains’.
WHERE IS SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS?
Seven Magic Mountains can be found just outside of Las Vegas. Follow I-15 South to Sloan Rd, which is on Exit 25. Turn left on Las Vegas Boulevard. As you drive approximately 7 miles South on Las Vegas Blvd. you will see the artwork will appear on your left side. You will then come up to a parking which you can park for free.
If you happen to be coming from Los Angeles, like I was. Go north on I-15 to Jean, NV, which is on Exit 12. Turn right on NV-161 toward Las Vegas Blvd and drive approximately 5 miles North on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your right side.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE VISITING SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS?
When you arrive here one thing to know is that there is no admission fees and the art display is on federal land. Camping is also prohibited.
There is a parking lot that can get quickly crowded with visitors. If you are going out there for a photo shoot I recommend you arrive at sunrise to avoid photobombs.
There are no restrooms, no place to get water, and no shade at the site. Come prepared and bring some sunscreen and water if you will be staying long. The Summer months can climb over 104° F / 40° C.
The rocks have been recently painted giving it a colorful glow.
ABOUT SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS
Seven Magic Mountains was designed by renowned Swiss Artist, Ugo Rondinone. He currently resides and works in New York and has long embraced a fluid range of mixed art mediums. His work has become recognized for its ability to channel both psychological expressiveness and profound insight in the human condition and the relationship between human being and nature.
Being visible as you drive along I-15 it attracts thousands of visitors a day as they make there way to Sin City. Seven Magic Mountains was opened in May of 2016 as an art project funded by the Art Production Fund and Nevada Museum of Art. It is an art exhibition that expresses the natural mountain ranges, desert, and Jean Dry Lake backdrop with seven psychedelic colorful cairns that stand over 30 feet tall. Each boulder weighs 40,000 pounds and were sourced from a nearby quarry.
The project’s cost took five years and $3.5 million dollars from conception to installation. The art exhibit was originally given a two year permit by the Bureau of Land Management, but in 2018 it was given a three year extension expiring at the end of 2021.
THE FUTURE OF SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS
With the extension of the permit coming to an end the future of Seven Magic Mountains is not certain. The Nevada Museum of Art has submitted an extension of the permit to secure the installation through the end 2026. This will allow visitors to stop by on their way to Las Vegas for another five years.
CONCLUSION
As I was coming into Vegas I could not understand the fascination of seven towers made up of colorful rocks. Living here a year, maybe the desert landscape lacks the colors that people yearn and this is a way to express it. Some people might consider this art exhibit as an eyesore, while others may see it as and inspiration for their photography. Either way, it will continue to be a popular destination for thousands of daily road travelers entering Las Vegas until it is removed.
Do you consider this artwork an eyesore or a piece that inspires people? Leave your comments and questions below.
Ame
I think the balance of the stones is interesting, I would choose other colors.Great post!!
Jessie Torres
The balance of the rocks is interesting. What colors would you chose?