Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,631 posts)
Sun Aug 24, 2014, 04:09 PM Aug 2014

The cave digger: Hewing art from the very landscape

CBS News/August 24, 2014, 9:22 AM
The cave digger: Hewing art from the very landscape

~ Video ~

It seems artistic inspiration can be found throughout the New Mexico landscape -- and maybe even beneath it, as our Lee Cowan has discovered.

This story was originally broadcast on May 18, 2014.

In the high desert of northern New Mexico, if you listen carefully, you might just hear something more than the wind. It's the underground sound of a man obsessed.

~ 17 photos ~

His name is Ra Paulette, who for the past 25 years -- with only his dog for company -- has been scraping and shaping New Mexico's sandstone into man-made caves of art.

"Do you think you're obsessed with cave digging?" asked Cowan.

"Would you call a child being obsessed with play?" replied Paulette. "You wouldn't use that word 'obsessed.' You know, when you're doing something you love and are drawn to it, you want to do it all the time."

He calls them his wilderness shrines -- massive in scale, poetic in their design. If his work takes your breath away, that's just what he hoped it would do.

"I see this as an environmental project; I'm trying to open up people's feelings," he said.

More:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-cave-digger-hewing-art-from-the-very-landscape-2/

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The cave digger: Hewing art from the very landscape (Original Post) Judi Lynn Aug 2014 OP
That is impressive. flying rabbit Aug 2014 #1
Fantastic! Thanks, Judi Lynn! nt littlemissmartypants Sep 2014 #2
It's amazing. Especially the one in color. I wonder who owns the land?No one? ellenrr Sep 2014 #3

ellenrr

(3,864 posts)
3. It's amazing. Especially the one in color. I wonder who owns the land?No one?
Mon Sep 1, 2014, 07:16 AM
Sep 2014

the owner agrees to it?
I didn't think there was any land in the US not owned by someone...
someone is selling one of his caves for millions, and he doesn't get anything.
so I guess a realtor owns the land.

Not the main point, but I'm curious.

it's stupendous, amazing work.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Artists»The cave digger: Hewing a...