One of the most impressive and moving places we visited was the Crazy Horse Memorial currently being constructed from a mountain in the Black Hills.
The story of the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the sculptor who sought to bring the tribute to life, is complicated and well worth researching. Visitors to the Memorial benefit from being shown a well-produced video explaining both stories, as well as, the tale which continues to be written about the ongoing efforts to complete the sculpture. Some basic info regarding the Memorial from Yellowstonepark.net:
...the world's largest sculpture, now in progress, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota on US Highway 16/385 just 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore. The work was begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Native Americans. Korczak died in 1982. His wife Ruth and their family continue the project working with the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.
An accomplished sculptor, Korczak was selected by the Native American elders to capture, for posterity, the spirit of Crazy Horse. The pic above is one of the character studies done by Korczak in advance of beginning the larger Crazy Horse perspective model. Note that the medium (wood) is different than either the model (plaster) or actual (stone). I rather like the look the wood provides. It is intersting to note that Korczak's life and physical appearance evolved significantly during the time he spent in the Black Hills; just as he sought to alter the moutain, the mountains changed him.
The Memorial, as it appears today. You can see the reference marks (in white) on the mountainside which will eventually be shaped into the horse's ear and eye. The process necessary to craft this sculpture, which when completed will be five times larger than Mount Rushmore, is as impressive as the anticipated final product.
The plaster perspective model loacted in the Memorial's center. Larger models of each section are also made and brougth to the mountain for use by the workers as they endeavor to complete Korczak's vision.
Above is Korczak's personal manifest regarding his efforts on the Memorial. It includes the quote which drove much of the sculpture's look and focus, particularly, it provides the answer to the question: "Why is Crazy Horse pointing in that direction?" The answer, as stated in the last line of the tablet, is given in a quote from Crazy Horse: "My lands are where my dead lie buried."
A pic of which I am particularly proud, the model in the foreground and the actual Memorial in the background.
This stop on our trip was somewhat emotional for me. I can't explain why; I'm not Native American, but there is something in the Native American experience which I (and most) can relate to, while not pretending to be able to fully understand.
One of my running heroes is the Native American, and South Dakotan, Olympian Billy Mills. Mills is also featured prominently in the video which was shown at the Memorial. A champion of the project, Mills' shares in his own words what the importance of the Memorial is to his people and their legacy on the land.
Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!
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