Santa Fe Big Blue Horse
by Sylvia Thornton
Title
Santa Fe Big Blue Horse
Artist
Sylvia Thornton
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This gigantic sculpture is a duplicate of one part of the world's largest equestrian statues, installed at the El Paso, Texas airport. This is a one-quarter scale version of the sculpture.
From http://gatewayelpaso.com/2010/06/06/el-pasos-largest-hidden-treasure-the-equestrian-sculpture/
The Equestrian sculpture started out as a way to honor Don Juan de Oņate and the historic exploration and development he symbolizes in the area. However, protests by American Indians got his name removed from the project and the statue erected on a small piece of land with a few parking spaces on the way to the El Paso International Airport instead of downtown. The New York Times has a good report on the controversy and the artist who helped create the great work.
I don't see any need to continue a debate that has been decided, other than to say the artwork's location doesn't serve anyone well. On a trip to the airport I pointed out the sculpture to a cab driver and he said, "You know, I've driven by here hundreds of times and never noticed it." He, and everyone else who passes by The Equestrian without noticing it, is missing an incredible treasure in the El Paso area.
The 36-foot-tall sculpture weighs 17 tons and rests on an 8-foot base. At the time it was erected, it was the largest equestrian bronze in the world. Despite its size, it's easy to pass by. I missed the turning lane into the small parking lot and had to loop around the airport road to get to it. It definitely was worth the effort.
If you like art, history, horses or photography, make it a point to look for the sculpture on your way to or from the airport. You won't be disappointed.
It's on Terminal Drive South on the left, across from a hotel as you drive away from the airport toward Montana.
This sculpture is displayed at the Ronnie Layden gallery, at the intersection of Canyon Road and East Palace Avenue.
Uploaded
April 16th, 2013
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