[image]
[title]Unexpectedly, in the midst of the mythical Uspallata Valley, Marañón Arts Park is a gigantic natural art gallery that houses monumental sculptures and installations. Three labyrinths, two sun viewpoints, and two moon viewpoints complete a tour where the artworks change with the light, colors, and seasons that dominate the landscape. Each hour offers a different image, changing landscapes for photography enthusiasts.
More than a decade ago, the great Mendoza sculptor Fausto Marañón, in partnership with his daughter Yamila, also an artist, created this territory where their works reside, many of them produced under the principles of the Land Art movement.
Where is Uspallata?
It should be mentioned that Uspallata, ancestrally traversed by the Incas and known as a sacred site, is a magical place in itself. The 23-hectare property where the Marañón family adds their magic brings spectacularity and value to this great valley of the Andes.
"Uspallata, known as a sacred site, is a magical place in itself"
180 km from the city of Mendoza, Uspallata is a mandatory stop when traveling to Chile. However, getting there requires some logistics. If the plan is to visit the valley on a weekday, you need to make a reservation in advance to enter Marañón Arts Park. On weekends, you can visit spontaneously from 10 am to 6 pm.
"If you're visiting Marañón Arts Park on a weekday, you need to make a reservation in advance"
What is the tour of Marañón Arts Park like?
Visits can be self-guided, following a map provided with the entrance ticket that guides you along the trails with explanations of the artworks you encounter, or you can take a guided group tour. Either way, the sculptures will surprise you.
For example, “Espejo, the labyrinth of sky on earth,” is a polished metal platform that invites us to walk on the sky while keeping our feet on the ground, as explained by Yessika Rastelli, a park guide. The reflective piece can resemble water from a distance, although the site features an actual lagoon within a circular forest planted to recreate four rings of trees of different species.
"The site has a real lagoon in a circular forest planted to recreate four rings of trees of different species"
“Lybrys, the labyrinth of the moon,” covering 2,500 square meters, was created by Yamila using 23 truckloads of valley stones. This is one of the two labyrinths that invites visitors to walk through it, creating and deciding their own path. Then there's Xumec, the labyrinth of the sun, the longest of the routes.
The sculptures are strategically placed to achieve specific effects with the rising or setting of the sun and moon, depending on the season. Particularly impressive are Fausto's works, like the “Autumn Moon Viewpoint,” a ceramic formation that allows you to position the moon right in the center of the circle that crowns the sculpture.
"The sculptures are strategically placed to achieve specific effects with the rising or setting of the sun and moon, depending on the season"
“Foundational Sun,” on the other hand, is aligned with the sunrise at the winter solstice. The trails continue, with references to the four elements of the earth and undeniable tributes to nature.
The seasons play a crucial role in the creation process under the principles of the Land Art movement. During one winter, Yamila crafted fascinating ice sculptures, naturally ephemeral but preserved through photographs.
There are also two recurring events each year at the viewpoints. In summer, the January full moon, and in March, the Autumn full moon.
Full moon nights at the viewpoints, moonlit walks, artistic interventions, labyrinths, live music, and installations are just some of the offerings at this unique mountain arts park—a highly recommended Mendocinean experience.
Location: Ruta Nac. 149, km Nº15. Uspallata. Las Heras.
Hours: Monday to Thursday by prior reservation. Weekends without reservation. Hours: 10 am to 6 pm.
Prices: Self-guided visit with explanatory map costs ARS 8,000 per person. Guided tours for groups of six or more people cost ARS 10,000 per person. Guided tours for groups of fewer than six people cost ARS 8,000 per person, plus an additional ARS 10,500 for the guide for the entire group. Children pay from the age of 10. Seniors get a 20% discount.