Metaphor: The Tree of Utah, Abstract sculpture on Interstate 80 in Tooele County, United States.
Metaphor: The Tree of Utah is a sculpture standing 27 meters tall along Interstate 80 in Tooele County, a rural area in Utah. Six large spheres rise from a rectangular trunk covered with natural rocks and minerals found throughout the state.
Swedish artist Karl Momen built the sculpture between 1982 and 1986 using 225 tons of cement and 2000 ceramic tiles. His work aimed to transform the barren salt desert into a statement about life and joy.
The trunk carries lines from Friedrich Schiller's Ode to Joy, the same text Beethoven set to music in his Ninth Symphony. This link between European poetry and American desert landscape reflects the Swedish artist's vision of connecting cultures across continents.
The sculpture stands directly beside Interstate 80 without any marked parking or official viewing areas. Visitors should exercise great caution if approaching and remain aware of passing traffic.
Several large spherical segments rest on the ground near the base, representing fallen leaves from this artificial tree. These elements echo the natural cycle of growth and decay even in this harsh salt desert.
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