Aaron Cowan (Las Vegas)
Artist's Statement: Seven Tragic Mountains is about the proximity and condonement of an active shooting area well within distances that common caliber bullets can travel. Shotgun shells and bullet casings were collected from the “Hubcap Spot” / Southern Nevada Lightweight Sand Pit, from which Seven Magic Mountains can be seen, and transformed into the pillars of Seven Magic Mountains. This “Hubcap Spot” does not have any signs to announce that shooting is allowed, no half-mile markers from the freeway, no gates, police, security, rangers, etc. This work is about raising awareness of this location, where gun violence goes unchecked; shooters have died here, even a 4 year old girl, and due to there being little to no oversight, this area is literally the wild west, with some shooters even setting off explosive devices here. This is in stark contrast to Seven Magic Mountains, just down the road, which has roadside announcements of its location, visible signs that warn visitors of snakes and also reminds viewers that the foundations, the artist, and the state have no liability if anyone gets hurt there from “doing something stupid.” 

Shown here: "Seven Tragic Mountains" - photo of sculpture