Las Pozas has been hailed as one of the largest and least well known artistic movements of the 20th century. Though it took decades to It’s shrouded in wonder amidst the densely jungled mountains of Mexico, an area was originally a home to exotic animals and orchids, but when an unanticipated frost struck the area in 1962, surrealist artist Edward James began building an incredible sculpture garden that still stands today.
As the 1960s progressed, James became fixated on the garden, devoting almost all his time and resources to create a “Surrealist Xanadu.” He abandoned his life in London and New York in order to build this masterpiece, spending millions of dollars to employ hundreds of masons, artists, and local craftsman to create the sculptures of his dreams. When James died in 1984, over 36 surrealist-inspired sculptures had been built across 20 acres of tropical jungle. The sculptures bear names fitting to the poetic background of James: “Bathtub shaped like an eye” and “House with a roof like a whale.” Las Pozas still stands as a testament to the power of one’s dreams and imagination to create something truly wondrous. A foundation was formed in 2008 to ensure that Las Pozas would not disappear into the jungles, but rather be preserved for the years to come.
Imagine yourself as Edward James: Could you give up everything to follow your dreams? James turned his back on an easy lifestyle in order to commit himself fully to his art and the place he loved. What he built has survived decades and will stand for many more years to come. Though its existence is unknown to most, the mystery it’s shrouded in allows Las Pozas to keep its charm and enigma alive.
See for yourself…
