Ratio and Elements

"Ratio," a pyramid looking structure in Green River

(Green River) I'm not sure what it is about the desert, but it often causes people to create odd-looking things. Maybe it’s the endless horizon, the red rock bluffs, or the fact that a tumbleweed will randomly cross your path like it owns the place. Whatever it is, it also seems to attract some of the quirkiest roadside art you’ll ever see.

The small town of Green River behind "Ratio"

On a recent trip to Green River, my friend Mark Wetzel and I, along with our canine sidekicks Aspen and Gertie, took some time to check out not one, but two pieces of art that perfectly capture that “wait… what?” look on your face.

Aspen wanted her picture taken on "Ratio"

The first is the pyramid-looking structure, Ratio. From a distance, it looks like someone dropped a stack of giant white blocks on a little hill overlooking Green River, then thought, “Hmm… needs a golden top.” Standing there, it’s hard not to compare it to an LDS temple because it's clean white look and that golden top that resembles the Mormon's Angel Moroni.

The golden block at the top of the pyramid structure

There are fifty-three blocks that make up the structure, arranged according to the Fibonacci sequence (0, 1,1,2,3,5… etc.). It's the same math pattern that shows up in pinecones, seashells, and your high school geometry nightmares. Yes, math in a desert. Aspen sniffed every corner of Ratio while Gertie had a look on her face like, "why are we here?" Of course, Wetzel found a wooden chair and decided to take another break.

Mark Wetzel taking it easy with Gertie

If you look closely, you’ll notice two blocks in the stack that are dark colored. The artist behind Ratio, Andrew Rogers, has stated those two dark blocks are a deliberate glitch in the pattern to remind us that even perfect sequences can't ignore the the dangers of pushing nature too far. He wanted to make it symbolic of what happens when we mess too much with nature.

There are two dark blocks in "Ratio"

Ratio wasn't the only interesting oddness on that hill. Just across the from the pyramid are four tall, slender columns. It's enough to give you another "what the heck is this?" moment. This is Elements, another work by Andrew Rogers, the same artist behind Ratio.

The four columns that make up "Elements"

Each column represents one of the main elements: Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. One of them is also capped with a golden top as well, but I couldn't find anything online about why one of the columns had a gold top, other than to possibly mirror Ratio across the hill.

Looking up at "Elements"

The juxtaposition is almost too perfect. On one side, a mathematically precise pyramid with a golden crown. On the other, four abstract monoliths, elemental and slightly mysterious, standing guard over the desert like something out of a low-budget sci-fi film. It’s the kind of view that makes you want to sit down, take it all in, and maybe ponder why someone thought it was a good idea to drop giant gold-topped blocks into a desert.

"Ratio" in the background, "Elements" in the foreground

Wetzel and I spent about 15–20 minutes wandering around, taking photos, and letting the dogs roam a bit. The two structures are a little bit math, a little bit of science, and a whole lot of “I can’t believe someone actually built this here.” However, you can see why people stop to check them out. In the end, the artist accomplished what they probably wanted, to get the rest of us to stop, stare, and wonder.

I was terrible at math in school, especially with ratios

If nothing else, Ratio and Elements remind you that art doesn’t always have to fit neatly into a gallery or a museum. Sometimes, it wants to be out in the world. There’s no rope, no ticket booth, and no “Do Not Touch” signs like you find in an indoor museum. It’s just you, your curiosity, and a couple of dogs experiencing something odd in the desert. That mix of awe, humor, and slight confusion is exactly what makes this worth a quick stop if you're in the Green River area. And if your dogs are anything like Aspen and Gertie, they’ll approve, even if they don’t quite get the Fibonacci sequence.

"Elements" in Green River

LOCATION:

Google Maps GPS Coordinates If you go to Ratio and Elements in Green River, the two structures at on top of a small hill that can be seen just off I-70. Coming from town, you have to cross some railroad tracks and work your way to a hill located near the other side of the train station across the tracks. It's a dirt road, but a regular car should make it with no problems. Lots of room to park once you drive up the small hill. Also, please respect the two structures. Yes, they're slightly weird, but still deserve to be left free of vandalism. Fun fact: Rogers, the artist, has done lots of land art and sculptures in nearly 20 countries. With all the open room on the hill in Green River, it makes you wonder what he (or another artist) might create there next!

Aspen guarding "Ratio"

You can see I-70 and the San Rafael Swell from the top of the hill