If you haven’t yet had the chance to make it the Black Hills, and all you have is your imagination and the memory of some Google Images, you might be in for a surprise. All those close up shots over the years have certainly painted a different picture in our minds. If you do get to go there, brace yourself for a slightly different view.
It is a mountain, after all, perched up high and far away. You might have to bring out the binoculars when you’re peering into the distance…from a busy lookout. There’s no real path leading up to the faces. or any kind of tower that’s standing close by. Not to mention the swarms of tourists milling around you.
Reality: Hollywood, United States
The streets here are not just filled with celebrities and young actors about to get their big break, they are also brimming with tourists who want to discover the place they have only seen in their favorite movies or on awards shows on TV.
The capital of the movie world is a lot like the movies it creates, a lot of makeup and special effects, but underneath it all is just another West Coast town. Crowded, congested and more than a little expensive.
Fantasy: Mount Rushmore, United States
Located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is a true feat and might even be the greatest testament to America's power. This massive sculpture stands at roughly 60-ft and depicts the most influential leaders in the land; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
These four men made America what it is today and what better way to remember them than to carve their faces into a massive mountain. The sculpture began in 1927 and was completed by 1941 by artist and sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The mountain attracts thousands of tourists daily who come to gaze in awe at this impressive artwork and celebrate American culture. How can we blame them?
Fantasy: Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
This iconic Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was created by the French sculptor Paul Landowski and by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa. The statue has become an international symbol for Christianity and attracts a plethora of tourists to come marvel at the cultural and religious landmark. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the sculpture is situated on the Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park that overlooks the entire city of Rio de Janeiro.
The construction took place between 1922 and 1931 and is certainly a sight to behold up close. The outstretched Jesus is, according to The Encyclopaedia Britannica, the largest art deco sculpture in the world. No wonder it gets a lot of buzz.
Reality: Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Let's be clear. This is the largest art deco sculpture in the world. So it is essentially the largest sculpture out of many other typically small sculptures that belong to this French modern art form. This might create some disappointment when you arrive at this famed spot. While still impressive, it's no Statute of Liberty - in fact, it is smaller than it's the pedestal that holds the Statue of Liberty. So bear in that mind.
Still, you can marvel all you like at this little sculpture 124ft sculpture. That is of course if you can handle the crowds. It is, after all, a global symbol for Christianity, and Christianity makes up about 2.3 billion of the world population. So, you certainly won't be alone up there.