A description of Cadillac Ranch, outside of Amarillo, TX, falls somewhere between art and a roadside attraction. The installation was created in the 70’s by land artists Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michaels from the collective called Ant Farm. It is made from 10 vintage Cadillacs spanning the years from 1949 to 1963, all plunged grill first at an angle into a Texas pasture. The installation is a mockery of consumer culture. At the time the tailfins of Cadillacs were redesigned each year so that consumers would purchase the next more elaborate model. There was a joke that Texas oilmen would throw away their Cadillacs when the ashtray was full.
If you are thinking that Cadillac Ranch sounds familiar, and you can’t quite place it you have probably heard about it through popular culture. Books include (12 Days on the road: Sex Pistols), television (King of the Hill), movies (Pixar's Cars, Cadillac Ranch), music videos (James Brown, Brooks & Dunn, Atomic Tom) or songs. (Bruce Springsteen).
Cadillac Ranch is an Americana bucket list destination. It’s visible from the highway (Interstate 40 - the old Route 66), and although located on dirty, dusty, muddy, private land, visiting is tacitly encouraged. Leaving love locks on the surrounding barbed wire is common. In addition, spray painting the vehicles and other interactions are now encouraged by surviving Ant Farm artists. The vehicles, which have long since lost their original colors, are wildly decorated. In an age of selfie culture, instead of painting hearts and peace signs which were standard years ago today people prefer to paint their names or initials to make their mark and capture in their photo with the art.
The cars are periodically repainted various colors to make a statement or commemorate events. They were painted in rainbow colors to celebrate gay pride and flat black to commemorate the passing of Ant Farm artist Doug Michels and all pink in recognition of breast cancer.
Cadillac Ranch has inspired other artists to create VW Slug Bug Ranch and Combine City nearby and Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska.
