Metaphor: The Tree of Utah

Metaphor: The Tree of Utah, sometimes called the Tree of Life, is an 87-foot-tall (27 m) sculpture that was created by the Swedish artist Karl Momen in the 1980s and dedicated in 1986. It is located in the desolate Great Salt Lake Desert of Utah on the west bound side of Interstate 80, about 25 miles (40 km) east of Wendover and midway between the former railroad communities of Arinosa and Barro. The sculpture, which is constructed mainly of concrete, consists of a squarish 'trunk' holding up six spheres that are coated with natural rock and minerals native to Utah. There are also several hollow sphere segments on the ground around the base. The sculpture currently has a fence surrounding the base to protect people from falling tiles.[1]

Metaphor: The Tree of Utah
ArtistKarl Momen
Year1986 (1986)
TypeSculpture
Mediumconcrete
Dimensions27 m (87 ft)
LocationBonneville Salt Flats
between Arinosa and Barro
Coordinates40.73322°N 113.55086°W / 40.73322; -113.55086
OwnerState of Utah

Inscribed on the plaque are the words from Ode to Joy by Friedrich Schiller; also used as the chorus of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. It has been said that Momen was moved to create the 87-foot-tall (27 m) tree after having a vision of a tree while driving across the desolate Bonneville Salt Flats.[2]

Following the dedication of this work of art, Momen donated the sculpture to the State of Utah and returned to Sweden.[3] However, in 2011 he proposed creating a visitors center at the location with construction costs being paid for by donations.[4]

See also

References
  1. Loe, Hikmet Sidney (January 15, 2008). "22 years of the Tree of Utah". 15 Bytes. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2009.
  2. Griggs, Brandon (2007). Utah Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Morris Book Publishing, LLC. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7627-4386-5.
  3. "Metaphor: Tree of Utah". Utah Travel Industry. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  4. Mikita, Carole (May 10, 2011). "Creator of 'Tree of Utah' along I-80 wants to build visitors center to enjoy the view". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
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