CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

The unique mountain range between Mississippi and the Rockies, the Black Hills have always been the refuge and sacred territory of the Sioux. " My compatriots and I would like to let the white man know that the red man also has great heroes, "wrote Chief Standing Bear when he invited the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (1908-1982) to carve the Crazy Horse Memorial. The drilling and blasting of the mountain began in 1948 and the Face of Crazy Horse, finished in 1998, represents the 5 ^th face of granite carved in the Black Hills, after those of nearby Rushmore Mountain. The current work concerns cutting the horse's head of 22 floors height. Once completed, this sculpture will be 172 ¾ m high and 195 ½ m long, making it one of the most monumental sculptures in the world. This monumental monument is dedicated to the famous Sioux leader, who became a hero for his prowess in combat and for his loyalty to the cause of his people. The year ^{2018 saw the 70 th anniversary of the park.}

The sculptor Ziolkowski, who was passionate about the culture and history of Plains Indians, did not want to see the construction of the monument or salary. He spent all his energy and left his life, while endeavoring to make the place an immense space dedicated to North American Indians, not for profit but cultural, educational and humanistic. His family is now watching to continue his work in the same philosophy. The complex also includes shops and exhibitions of Amerindian articles, restaurants and a superb museum. You can also observe the miniature sculpture of the memorial once completed and a detailed plan of the entire park. Don't miss the very good video that explains the origins project until today.