12 Must-See U.S. Art Installations Across the United States
Art can transform ordinary things extraordinarily and some brilliant minds have created installations that play with color, texture, societal norms, and perspectives. These installations, which run the gauntlet from the thought-provoking to the whimsical, transform public spaces into wonderlands of imagination, often featuring installations that dazzle, and sculptures that aptly represent the artist’s views. They’re not just a site to visit but a feeling, an experience, and sometimes even a question.
There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned art lover or someone who appreciates cool things. If you’re ready to go on an art adventure, here are some of the most mesmerizing installations across the U.S.
The Lightning Field, New Mexico
For those who like their art with a little bit of drama. Walter De Maria’s The Lightning Field is a grid of steel poles placed over a remote stretch of New Mexico desert. During thunderstorms is when lightning strikes turn the installation into a spectacle of light and energy. Surrounding the poles, the vast emptiness even on calm days is meditational.
The Bean (Cloud Gate), Chicago
It’s impossible to talk about art installations without bringing up The Bean in Chicago’s Millennium Park. This shiny, mirror-like sculpture by Anish Kapoor is officially called Cloud Gate, but its unofficial name is The Bean, and it’s a magnet for selfies and reflection-filled snapshots. Good luck finding a more photographed piece of public art in the U.S.—it’s interactive, and playful, and it looks different every time you see it.
Seven Magic Mountains, Nevada
If you’ve ever driven through the Nevada desert and noticed the brightly colored boulders stacked like kid’s building blocks, then you’ve just seen the Seven Magic Mountains installation. Ugo Rondinone’s installation is just as striking as it is whimsical. The bright colors are a stark contrast to the desert surroundings, and it’s a favorite pit stop for road trippers and Instagram fanatics everywhere.
Cadillac Ranch, Texas
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo is part art installation, part roadside oddity. Imagine a line of classic Cadillacs buried nose first into the ground, each covered in layers of graffiti. The ever-changing canvas is open for visitors to express their creative side by bringing their own spray paint and adding to this installation. It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s completely unpretentious — just as art should be.
The Gates, New York City
In 2005, Christo and Jeanne Claude created the installation called ‘The Gates’ in Central Park. It was made of saffron-colored fabric panels and added color and joy to the drab grey winter landscape of the city. It’s no longer on display, but it is an unforgettable reminder of how transient art can make an impact.
Prada Marfa, Texas
Imagine you’re driving down a lonely bit of West Texas highway and stumble upon a Prada store out in the middle of nowhere. That’s Prada Marfa. Elmgreen and Dragset’s installation is part art, part social commentary, and very Instagram-worthy. It’s a functioning store, but the doors are locked and the products inside are forever out of reach, making for a literal window shopping experience.
The Umbrella Project, California
A masterpiece by Christo and Jeanne-Claude depicts giant yellow and blue umbrellas scattered about valleys in California and Japan. The scale of this project is mind-boggling, and while the umbrellas were only up for a short window, they left an unforgettable impression on those who were lucky enough to see them.
Spiral Jetty, Utah
Spiral Jetty is a massive earthwork sculpture, created by Robert Smithson, which coils into Utah’s Great Salt Lake. The installation is made of rocks, mud, and salt and is transformed by the water levels of the lake, presenting a different experience each time you visit. Nature and art come together so seamlessly that it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Forever Marilyn, Palm Springs
Forever Marilyn in Palm Springs is a sculpture that will bring a smile to your face, especially if you are a fan of Hollywood. The larger-than-life depiction of Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch pose will make you nostalgic for the good old days. It’s 26 feet tall, so you can’t miss it, and you sure can’t resist taking a photo with it.
The Sun Tunnels, Utah
In Utah’s desert, Nancy Holt’s Sun Tunnels are four large concrete tubes aligned with the sun on solstices, with holes placed strategically to make star constellations, connecting earth and sky. It’s remote, quiet, and a place to enjoy the vastness of the universe.
Watts Towers, Los Angeles
A Labor of Love and Creativity, the Watts Tower in Los Angeles took Italian immigrant Simon Rodia 33 years to complete. Steel, concrete, and a mix of found objects including glass and ceramics were used to create this series of 17 interconnected structures. It’s a symbol of community, resilience, determination, and one man’s vision.
Meow Wolf, New Mexico
At the House of Eternal Return at Meow Wolf, you can step through refrigerators, crawl into secret passageways, and discover a mysterious story. A collection of artists created it as an interactive wonderland you’ve never seen before and won’t soon forget.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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