MINOT, N.D. (AP) – High above Minot, North Dakota, artist Guido van Helten is hard at work on a monumental mural atop the former Union Silos. Standing 75 feet (23 meters) high in a boom lift, he meticulously applies paint to the massive concrete wall, employing a brush typically used for painting fences rather than large-scale artworks. This project reflects Van Helten's dedication to using old structures as canvases to share stories and cultural identities, thereby blending art into the landscape.
The current project in Minot is one of Van Helten's latest efforts to create large-scale murals, following previous works on diverse structures, from a dam in Australia to a cooling tower at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine. He has increasingly focused on grain silos in the U.S. Midwest, aiming to uncover and highlight the often-overlooked stories of smaller communities. Van Helten shared that his journey into mural painting transformed significantly after a project in a small Australian town, which ignited his interest in depicting regional identities.
Utilizing a mineral silicate paint that bonds well with concrete, Van Helten ensures his murals are durable and harmoniously integrated into their surroundings. He pays particular attention to the colors, blending them with the existing hues of the buildings rather than imposing bright colors. “I love the coloring of these buildings,” he explains, indicating his desire for the artwork to coexist with the architectural landscape.
The mural's creation is a time-intensive process. Van Helten engages with local residents to gather insights into the community's culture before beginning his work. He initiated the Minot mural in May and aims to create a 360-degree artwork that fuses painting with photography, encapsulating the local people and culture.
The Minot silos, constructed in the 1950s, served as an economic hub until operations ceased in the early 1990s. Although Van Helten is keeping specific details of the mural under wraps, he has been influenced by themes of land and ownership derived from North Dakota's ranching heritage and oil fields, as well as Native American perspectives. These cultural nuances enrich the narrative he seeks to convey through his work, especially considering North Dakota's vast, open landscapes.
As the mural takes shape, elements such as a barn and female figures are becoming evident. Property owner Derek Hackett emphasizes the mural's potential to rejuvenate an otherwise blighted property, enhancing its presence in Minot's skyline. Chelsea Gleich, a spokesperson for the project, noted that it is entirely funded by donations, with an estimated cost of $350,000, over 85% of which has already been raised.
Gleich remarked on the uniqueness of the project, emphasizing its special connection to North Dakota. The mural represents not just the artist's vision but also the community's pride in its identity and history, promising to become a significant visual landmark in Minot once completed.
