Schedule a Visit

Thank you for your interest in visiting Orisons. Reservations to visit are currently closed for the winter season.

Hours

Orisons is accessible 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset, via reservation only. Reservations are for a 2-hour time slot. The artist suggests that the work is best experienced at sunrise and sunset.

For those reserving an early evening time slot, please note that the site closes daily at sundown, and all visitors must exit the property at that time. Reservations are open from April through October each year and closed during the winter months.

Admission

Access to Orisons is free, there is no admission fee. Donations are appreciated.

Artwork Interactivity

Orisons is a self-guided experience, and no tour guide will be on site. The 7 large-scale “hammock” net sculptures, indicated by the large, 6-foot tall steel heart structure and net material, are the only touchable artworks. Each “hammock” can hold a maximum of two people. Getting in and out of the "hammock" nets requires some physical exertion, so please take care and move slowly.

Please do not touch or trample the 77 smaller-scale, kinetic (wind-activated) sculptures that are dispersed throughout the site.

Driving to the Site

The exact location and directions of the site are disclosed only once a reservation is made. After reserving a time slot, please check your inbox for a confirmation email containing travel information.

We highly recommend carpooling. As this is a remote, rural area, motor vehicles are the main, if not only, way to access the site. Carpooling can also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Please note that EV charging points in the Valley may be broken or not work properly.

CAUTION: Potato harvest season is gearing up across the San Luis Valley, and will continue through mid-October. Please take care when driving around the area, and be mindful of harvest traffic. Loaded potato trucks cannot stop quickly because of their weight, and empty trucks are often in a hurry to get back to the field for another load. Drivers may not be familiar with the locations of stop signs.

Parking

There is very limited parking on site with only 5 designated parking spots available.

Climate & Conditions

Please keep in mind that this is a high desert climate, with extreme weather seasonally with intense sun and wind in the spring, rain in the summer, and occasionally snow in the fall and spring (as late as May and as early as October). Stay updated on weather advisories.

Do not drive on dirt roads that are very wet, as your vehicle can get stuck or may destroy the road for other travelers.

Attire

Wear proper attire depending on the season. There is rough terrain and sandy soil on the site. Please make sure to bring proper footwear and protect yourself from the sun and wind.

Facilities

There are no restroom facilities or access to water available on site, so please plan accordingly.

Leave No Trace

There are no trash receptacles on site. We urge all visitors to respect the land, plant life, and property boundaries and practice Colorado’s “leave no trace” principles by packing out all trash and food brought to the earthwork.

Safety

There are inherent risks with visiting an outdoor earthwork such as snakes and other reptiles, wildlife, and severe weather:

• Wear closed-toed footwear as the terrain is sandy and uneven.
• Depending on the season, the site has extreme climate fluctuations. Dress accordingly and stay updated on weather advisories.
• Stay hydrated and bring plenty of water.
• Protect yourself from the sun and wind.
• Watch out for wildlife.

Drug/Alcohol Policy

No smoking, vaping, drugs, marijuana or alcohol are permitted at the earthwork. Any open flames are prohibited, as this is a dry, fire prone area.

Respect Neighbors

Visitors are asked to stay within the fenced area and boundaries identified. Areas outside the earthwork are private property and trespassing is strictly prohibited. Please respect surrounding neighbors and do not approach any neighboring properties.

Orisons is located on private land and is a self-guided experience. Visitors will need a vehicle to travel to the destination because of the remote and rural location of the site. Upon arrival, visitors are required to park in one of the five designated gravel parking spaces available that are accessed via a dirt road. The entrance to Orisons is marked by a sign located approximately 150 feet from the parking area. The back side of the entrance signage has a seat that measures 4 feet wide for guests.

Visitors are invited to traverse the 160-acre earthwork by foot; there are no sidewalks or paths of any kind. Additionally, the conditions at Orisons are extreme: the terrain is very sandy and unstable due to underground animal burrows (holes in the ground), and there are no restrooms, trash receptacles, or areas with shade. The weather is extreme season-to-season and high wind and sun exposure should be expected. While on site, please watch your step and be aware of the 77 small-scale sculptures dispersed within the earthwork; these are fragile and sharp and may be trampled easily. Orisons is closed during the winter months. It can take up to 2 hours of walking in these conditions to view the entirety of the artwork.

Beyond the entrance, loose sand makes access into the artwork itself nearly impossible for those with traditional thin-wheeled chairs or other mobility restrictions.

Guests with accessibility needs are encouraged to reach out to the Black Cube staff for more information before reserving a visit to Orisons. Please email hello@blackcube.art.

We will be releasing photo and video documentation of Orisons to share with visitors who cannot visit the earthwork in person. Please stay updated via this Orisons website, or by subscribing to Black Cube’s email newsletter and social /orisons/media platforms (IG + FB).

How do I experience Orisons?
Orisons is a self-guided outdoor experience. Visitors are encouraged to walk the earthwork (which consists of the land itself), connect with the environment, listen to the 77 kinetic (wind-activated) sculptural works, lay upon the large-scale net sculptures inspired by Sandhill Cranes, see wildlife and relics from the land’s previous agricultural use, and feel the site’s intangible energies. The experience is intended to be meditative and reflective. Visitors can expect to walk up to an hour in sandy soil.

Is there an admission fee?
Orisons is free. Reservations are required. Donations are appreciated.

How do I get there?
Orisons is located in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, we are currently accepting visitors by advance reservation only. The exact location and directions are disclosed only once a reservation is made. After reserving a time slot, please check your inbox for a confirmation email containing travel information.

From Denver, the drive to Orisons is approximately 3.5 – 4 hours. From Colorado Springs, the drive is approximately 3 hours. From Santa Fe, the drive is approximately 3.5 – 4 hours. For those flying, the closest international airport is Denver International Airport.

Where are nearby gas stations or EV stations?
The closest gas stations are in Mosca, Center, and Alamosa. There are EV charging stations in Alamosa and Monte Vista, but please keep in mind these stations are often out of order or do not work properly. En route from Denver, there is a Tesla supercharger off I-285 at the base of Poncha Pass.

Where do I park?
There are only 5 parking spots on the site, so parking is very limited. Do not park on any surrounding dirt roads.

Are there restrooms?
There are no restroom facilities at Orisons. The closest restrooms are at The Hooper Junction (approximately a 6 minute drive from the site) and The Mosca Pit Stop (approximately a 10 minute drive from the site).

Are children allowed?
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Are pets allowed?
Pets are not allowed within the boundaries of the artwork. This is indicated by a map located on the site.

Where should I stay in the San Luis Valley?
Please see our list of recommended lodging below:

FarmBnb
Frontier Drive-Inn
Mellow Moon Lodge
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Zapata Ranch
Sand Dunes Recreation / Hooper Hot Springs

What else is there to explore in the San Luis Valley?
There are many unique and one-of-a-kind local attractions in the San Luis Valley. Please see our list of recommended local attractions below:

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve
Sand Dunes Recreation / Hooper Hot Springs
Monte Vista Crane Festival
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Crestone Ziggurat
Colorado Gators Reptile Park
UFO Watchtower
San Luis Valley Museum | Alamosa
Rio Grande Farm Park
Baca National Wildlife Refuge
Penitente Canyon
Zapata Falls
Wolf Creek Skiing

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Support

Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All programming is free and accessible to the public, which would not be possible without our supporters. Give today by visiting our donation page or send us a check at Black Cube, 225 S Broadway, PO Box 9775, Denver, CO 80209.

Filming/Photography Guidelines

Still photography and video are permitted for personal, noncommercial use only unless otherwise noted. Professional film and photo shoot requests must be approved by Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum.

/orisons/media Requests

For press inquiries, please contact hello@blackcube.art.