Utah monolith, Metal sculpture in Lockhart Basin, US.
The Utah monolith was a three-meter tall triangular prism structure made of polished stainless steel that stood against the red sandstone cliffs of the Utah desert. Its surfaces reflected sunlight brightly and formed a stark contrast with the warm color of surrounding rock and the dry vegetation of the basin.
State biologists discovered the metal structure in November 2020 during a helicopter survey of bighorn sheep after it remained unnoticed for four years. The Bureau of Land Management removed it on November 27 due to safety concerns and unauthorized use of public land.
The installation sparked international debates about unauthorized artworks in natural spaces and drew thousands of visitors to a previously forgotten area. Local communities discussed intensely the protection of public land and the boundaries between art and illegal occupation of terrain.
Authorities removed the structure due to high visitor traffic to this remote spot and the damage to the fragile desert environment caused by trampling the terrain. Hikers visiting the area today find only the natural landscape of the basin and occasional traces of previous visitor flows.
Internet users employed satellite imagery and geographical data to identify the location of the structure, leading to a massive influx of visitors within days. The exact origin and creator of the installation remain unknown to this day, although several artists and collectives have been accused.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
