Seven Magic Mountains Grand Opening
The invitation reads "Desert chic sun protection and appropriate footwear for navigating uneven and sandy terrain recommended." The suggestion appears to have been heeded as there are no stiletto heels in sight as guests are delivered by shuttle to the site of Ugo Rondinone's Seven Magic Mountains public art installation. A large tent has been erected for the grand opening event and parasols offer mobile shade for the five-minute walk to the installation site.
Armed with thirst-quenching libations, we navigate the natural path through the barbed bushes and spiky yuccas. A sign warns of the possible presence of venomous snakes and I hope we are all making enough noise to ensure any lurking reptiles keep their distance. The brightly colored towers of boulders that have been intriguing travelers on the nearby Interstate are eye-poppingly vibrant up close.
Five years in the making, the Seven Magic Mountains public art project is a partnership between New York's Art Production Fund and the Nevada Museum of Art. David Walker, the museum's executive director introduces the artist and quips "Only Ugo Rondinone would add fluorescent colors to land art right?" In turn, Rondinone speaks of his fascination with the beauty of both the natural environment of the desert and the artificial city of Las Vegas it envelops. He describes Seven Magic Mountains as "an artwork of thresholds and crossings". The towers are situated on the southern threshold of Las Vegas near Jean Dry Lake, where Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint-Phalle exploded sculptures in 1962, and Michael Heizer began working on land art projects in 1968.
As the magic hour of twilight arrives, even the clouds are painted with vibrant orange. This is when I notice the ARIA Fine Catering team with trays bearing a carved fruit homage to the Rondinone towers. The skewered prawns that had covered them have all been devoured by appreciative guests and it's time to return to the city. Respecting the desert principle of visitors leaving no trace, all signs of our presence will be erased. From the window of the bus as darkness encroaches, the towers continue to glow as they recede in the distance.