Commissioned by the Dia Art Foundation in 1977, The Lightning Field, by the American sculptor Walter De Maria, is described as “a work of Land Art” situated near Quemado. According to the Dia Art Foundation’s website, “It is comprised of 400 polished stainless steel poles installed in a grid array measuring one mile by one kilometer. The poles—two inches in diameter and averaging 20 feet and 7 1/2 inches in height—are spaced 220 feet apart and have solid pointed tips that define a horizontal plane.”
Sounds pretty impressive, but it’s even more so when you get up close.
The sculpture is meant to be walked in as well as viewed, though this is not something you can just drive up to and take a picture (hey, it’s not the World’s Largest Ball of Twine.) Those looking to experience The Lightning Field need to visit the Foundations’s website and make reservations for an overnight stay at their cabin. The Foundation vehicle picks you up from Quemado and takes you on the 45 minute drive to the fields; you’re not allowed to drive in your own car. The “visiting months” are only from May 1 through October 31 (and right now the weather’s perfect for a high country visit!) Sounds a bit mysterious, but it all adds to the drama. After all, what could possibly be more hair-raising than witnessing a field full of lightning bolts? By the way, they don’t guarantee a lightning storm, but what you can bet on is a sort of Zen encounter. Or a polarizing one, depending on who you go with. Nature, Man, Art, the mountains, the sunset, the sunrise, six people to the cabin… One thing is for sure: you won’t leave The Lightning Field unmoved.