Crazy Horse Memorial
The project isn't finished, but when it is, it will be larger than Mount Rushmore. So far they have the face completed and have begun on the outstretched arm.
This is the model of the final project displayed on a beautiful deck between the museum and restaurant. There is also a native American university, an artist in residence and more.
This project was the brain child of Chief Henry Standing Bear. Similar to Mount Rushmore, he wanted to show that his people also had their heroes. The Chief decided on sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to bring his idea to life.
We almost always watch the narrative film. They are usually an entertaining synopsis of the project or place you are visiting. And this one was no different. We especially enjoyed Korczak's story of working with his air compressor, Old Buda. He'd get it going, climb up the mountain and then he would hear 'kaput, kaput, kaput' and have to climb back down the mountain the get it going again. One time he said he had to do that nine times, nine times, can you imagine!!
He met his wife on the mountain, she was a volunteer for the project. They ended up having 10 kids of which several of the grandkids are working on finishing his design. Korczak said that it was important for man to leave behind something that will last beyond his years. I'd say he accomplished that. It seems to me it will take several more generations to finish the sculpture.
The other crazy thing is that they have refused millions of dollars of government funding, opting instead to have the project for the people funded by the people. I appreciate their self-reliance.
Well, that's it for South Dakota. It was fun!
More updates tomorrow.
A dopo!
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