As an artist myself, I have the tendency to appreciate the arts, no matter what medium. It's about perspective -- some people may view this installation as hideous and detrimental to the surrounding natural desert landscape while others will lovingly delight in the "poetic burst of form and color." No matter which side you're on, it'll only be up for a brief two years so it's temporary... and at least, a cool new stop on that grueling LA/Vegas drive.
What boggles my mind the most is the 3.5 million dollar price tag, mostly garnered from private donors like Aria. This is crazy!! For funsies, I've compiled a list of what else 3.5 million dollars can do:
-- feed children in Africa
-- feed humans in general in any third-world country
-- help the 783 million people who don't have access to clean and safe drinking water
-- cover part of the 2.1 billion dollar proposed budget for new Clark County schools
-- buy a small island
-- blow it on one bottle of Pasión Azteca, Platinum Liquor Bottle by Tequila Ley
But what's done is done. Ugo Rondinone decided to put it towards a fluorescent stack of rocks, resembling a modern-day Stonehenge in the middle of nowhere. I dig it, but my bf was unimpressed. I'd say it's worth visiting at least once to get those snapshots in. It's a fun pit stop to look forward to other than the usual Barstow.