… sculpture, by David Govedare
About a month ago, The Art of… posted The Mustangs of Las Colinas, and a commenter by the name of Nifty sent me to look at this installation. I think it’s fabulous and wanted to make sure that as many people as possible get to see it. It is one of the most viewed art installations in Washington State, with an estimated 100 million cars passing by between 1990 and 2008. According to Wikipedia,
Although it can be seen for miles in all directions, the sculpture itself can be accessed via a rough footpath which leads from the east-bound side of the I-90 freeway near Vantage to the top of the ridge. According to the guide book Washington Curiosities, the best viewing point from a distance is Wanapum Vista on I-90 three miles east of Vantage.
Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies (The Wild Horse Monument), 1986 – 1990, by David Govedare. Image from Wikipedia.
Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies (The Wild Horse Monument), 1986 – 1990, by David Govedare. Image from Wikipedia.
That is really beautiful. What a neat thing to see on the ridgeline against the sky.
How beautiful!
Though I have to agree: distance view is better.
Yes, distance view is better. One thing the still images shown do not capture is the amazing vistas possible in the site. Reasonably healthy sagebrush in the area, and it can have some striking spring wildflowers. The following drone video gives some hint of the views possible in the site:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0SWiY2XMPs
It is possible to see some large elk herds across the river in winter, and there is a large wetland complex that can have large numbers of sandhill cranes in spring migration to the east. If you like geology, this area is on the west edge of the channeled scablands:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channeled_Scablands
Off topic, but this area is also close to some very good wine producing areas. This part of the Columbia river basin, from here down to the Hanford reach, is my favorite March-April escape from the rain to the sun destination. One thing I miss by being COVID responsible is visiting wine tasting rooms!