Tearing ourselves away from Hillsboro reluctantly, we started on a scenic route to Albuquerque, which took us via Gila (pronounced Healer) Hotsprings, (scalding hot water percolates to the surface because of a fault) the Gila cliff dwellings and to Quemado Lake. In Quemado itself we stopped by the Dia Foundation offices and found Claire Harrison, a delightful young British artist, waiting to be picked up and driven to the secret location of the Lightening Field. Some 30 miles from Quemado, it comprises of 400 tall steel poles, which I thought attracted lightening, until a conversation in the local cafe , with guys who had worked there, who told me that they rarely get hit, but look very attractive at dawn and dusk. Also there, is a bunk hut, for accomodating six people, each paying around £150 per night. Originally I had planned on seeing this but had decided against, as it was just too exclusive and even if I had visited I would not have been allowed to take photos. Very few people in New Mexico (apart from those who work directly on the site repairing, driving to and fro, etc) seemed to know of its existence at all, yet Europeans art fans fly in as a must see destination. Odd. Perhaps my journeying in this sensitive and beautiful land is making me more sceptical of such an imposedand unnatural installation.
Meetings in the Middle of Somewhere 
0 Responses to “Gila – Quemado”