Seven Magic Mountains

DETAILS:

• Location: Approximately 10 miles south of Las Vegas off I-15

  • From Las Vegas: Follow I-15 S to Sloan Rd (exit 25). Turn left (east) to Las Vegas Boulevard. Drive approximately 7 miles south on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your left (east).

  • From Los Angeles: Drive north on I-15 to Jean, NV (exit 12). Turn right (east) on NV-161 toward Las Vegas Blvd. Drive approximately 5 miles north on Las Vegas Blvd. and the artwork will appear on your right (east).

• Hours of Operation: Sunrise to sunset.

• Parking: Free parking lot available on site.

• Cost: Free!

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes.

• Miscellaneous:

  • Guide-By-Cell Phone available in English and Spanish. Call 702.381.5182 to learn about the artist, the artwork, and land art in Southern Nevada.

  • Leashed dogs welcome.

  • Please do not climb on any of the sculptures.

The desert between California and Nevada is full of wonderful oddities. From the haunting beauty of the rocky vistas that loom in every direction, to the world’s tallest thermometer, or the largest solar power plant in the world (yes, that’s what those giant mirrors are outside of Primm), and all the Alien Fresh Jerky and Mad Greek Cafe pit-stops along the way, the desert never ceases to amaze. But as varied as this repertoire may be, one of the few things that the desert has never been known for is being awash in color… or at least until Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains entered the scene.

Composed of seven stacks of florescent colored boulders, these thirty foot towers are the creation of Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone thanks to a joint commission by the Nevada Museum of Art and the Art Production Fund. Initially opened in 2016, Seven Magic Mountain was only supposed to be on view until 2018 but was eventually granted a three year extension thanks to its immense popularity. Rondinone’s intention for the piece was to signal a human presence in the desert that complimented one another’s existence. Adding a loud splash of creative flair to a sepia-toned landscape that has quickly become one of Las Vegas’ newest landmarks, it’s safe to say that Rondinone accomplished that task with flying colors.

 

RESOURCES:

• Seven Magic Mountains website.