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Cadillac ranch texas

Cadillac Ranch – one man’s trash is another’s art

I looked around at the scattered spray cans and colored plastic tops and thought to myself, when did littering become participatory art? I really wanted my artistic self to appreciate the chaos and disregard of it all but my inner realist just couldn’t let go.

Cadillac ranch texas

Outside of Amarillo, Texas are 10 partially sunken Cadillac’s near what used to be iconic route 66.
Why are there sunken Cadillac’s out in the middle of an empty field?

Cadillac ranch texas

Well, because in 1973 a man by the name of Stanley Marsh invited an artists’ collective called the Ant Farm to help him create a little something different for his ranch.
He sent the group on a mission for ten used Cadillac’s to represent the “Golden Age” of American automobiles. And you can see what happened next.

Cadillac ranch texas

Cadillac ranch texas

Before the current mutilated and gratified version, the cars had their original paint jobs. Of course, that didn’t last long. Vandalism quickly transformed the towering “Golden Age” vehicles into busted, robbed and barely recognizable versions. Surprisingly, Stanley Marsh doesn’t seem to mind and even thinks they look better every year.

Cadillac ranch texas    Cadillac ranch texas

It’s even encouraged now to show up with a can of paint and leave your mark (and the supplies) behind. However, it won’t last long. If someone else doesn’t cover up your work of art with their own, the Ant Farm may. Over the years, the Cadillac’s have been repainted for one reason, cause, commercial or another.

Cadillac ranch texas

I like participatory art and the chance to be a part of something ever evolving and in the moment. I don’t like that littering has become a part of the process. It’s not my art to dictate and I appreciate that it’s here for the enjoyment of everyone (and we did enjoy it sans spray paint). But true to my human form, it doesn’t stop me from being a critic.

Cadillac ranch texas

Have you been to Cadillac Ranch; what’s your take?

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (10)

  • I never knew how long two cans if spray paint could last until I gave them to my 7 and 5 year old! We stopped there on our summer rv trip a couple of years ago. They thought it was awesome, I thought “I shoulda bought the mini cans!” I too was dismayed at the litter and we picked up as many as we could on our way out. Still a fun piece of living art to show my girls. (Just found your blog btw, love it!)

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    • Welcome to the adventure Amy! The ranch is a totally cool spot, hope they get the trash thing sorted out.

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  • Natalie

    My husband and I took our kids there while traveling through. It was fun just to go out and take pictures even though we didn’t bring an spray cans. Our kids were five and three at the time and they still enjoyed the quick stop. On our way back we made it a challenge to pick up as many cans as we could and throw them away. Taught my kids a lesson on leaving things better then you found it so it was a win win.

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  • Alisha

    My boyfriend and his mother stopped there when they were moving from California to Missouri. He currently has a 1959 Cadillac and has always LOVED caddies. So needless to say, it was heaven for him. 😀 I will be checking it out soon as well!

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  • Cassie

    We stopped by to admire the artwork, on our latest trip to the west………had to dance around a few cows that were wondering why we were in their pasture?? No problems, just made the adventure more fun! We continue to enjoy you sharing your travels! Thanks………

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    • oh man, we didn’t see any cows! It just looked like farm land, but the soil was so hard I can’t imagine anything growing there!

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  • For years we drove by admiring from the interstate. Finally in October we stopped by and left our mark and picked up as many spray cans as we could carry to the trash bins that are SO INCREDIBLY EASY to reach into on the way out. I thought the cars were awesome, picking up behind yourself such a small price to pay for getting to participate. True artists wouldn’t leave theirs behind for others to clean up…

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  • Bill W

    That is one.way to put iron back into the soil. The farmer made a name for himself. I have seen pictures of the cars in mags and TV shows. They don’t make them like that any more.

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