Carl's Critter GardenCarl Hunt (1947), Paul Turner
Extant
145 E 100 N, Hanksville, Utah, 84734, United States
1987 to 1992
Admission is free with an optional donation.
About the Artist/Site
Located on the grounds of the former Desert Inn Motel, Carl's Critter Garden is a vibrant and spiritual art environment. Sometimes referred to as, "Monster Mountain Museum," this site is a collaboration between Carl Hunt and Paul Turner, completed between 1987 and 1992. It features a wide array of metal "critters" constructed from old car parts, philosophical messages, and lovingly constructed sculptures. Carl’s love of nature, particularly dinosaurs, is evident in the careful and precise design of the garden's creatures, as well as their Latin binomial labels. The environment is deeply infused with the philosophy of Shanti Christo, a Christian-Buddhist syncretic religion that emphasizes love, forgiveness, and inner peace. Through signs scattered across the garden, Carl shares his profound thoughts on kindness, judgment, ego, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Carl's Critter Garden is open to visitors, offering free admission with an optional donation. Donations support the "Greater Hanksville Art Rehabilitation Initiative," which Carl notes is "totally imaginary (and totally for-profit)." It’s a markedly family-friendly destination where guests can wander, reflect, and appreciate Carl’s creations. Visitors are encouraged to embrace the garden’s ethos: "Walk in Grace, Go in Peace, Extend Love, Enjoy Life."
Sources:
- http://www.limegreennews.com/web_site_summer_1997/monster.html
- https://www.deseret.com/1999/9/2/19463689/pulling-a-leg-and-talking-your-ear-off/
Materials
scrap metal, recycled machinery, wood, stones, beads, signage, prayer flags, bottles, and chains
Map & Site Information
145 E 100 N
Hanksville, Utah, 84734
us
Latitude/Longitude: 38.3747859 / -110.7116645
Nearby Environments
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