„Hand of the Desert“ – Hand of Injustice, Sadness and Torture

Each country has its own national marks on which it is recognized. Sometimes it is amazing buildings, and sometimes wonders of nature. All these prove that our country is beautiful and offers many placesready to be visited. If you do not want this summer to go to classic holiday at the beach and have a desire to see something new, we give you an amazing proposal. Without thinking visit the Atacama Desert.

The need to create is an inevitable part of human nature. People created outdoors and left their works as testimony to their existence and their worldview. Such work is the „Hand of the desert“.

Hand of the Desert (5)

Image by Mr Hicks46 via Flickr

Hand of the Desert (3)

Image by Houston Marsh via Flickr

In the warmest desert at the planet – Atacama, Chile is located a monumental sculpture. That masterpiece represents Desert Hand. Raising from the sand of the Atacama Desert, this giant hand appears as a symbol of a disappeared nation long ago, but is actually a sculpture by artist Mario Irarrazabal.It is the third of the four hands and each has its own significance. The first is set in the popular resort of Punta del Este in Uruguay and is called “Monument Ahogado”. The second was placed in Madrid in 1987, while the fourth has not been created yet.

tHE HAND OF DESERT (1)

Image by Ars Electronica via Flickr

Hand of the Desert (4)

Image by Houston Marsh via Flickr

“The hand of the desert” is located 75 kilometers from the nearest city – Antofagasta. It is known as “Mano del Desierto” and its purpose is to represents sad guardian besides Pan-American highway, reminding travelers about the real tragic situation in which the humanity is thrall. The hand is actually a symbol of the emotions of injustice, loneliness, sadness and torture. High is an impressive 11 meters and composed of a metal structure and concrete.The sculpture was sponsored by local organization “Corporación Pro Antofagasta” and was set on March 28, 1992. It is now very well known tourist attraction, but also the target of many graffiti artists.

tHE HAND OF DESERT (6)