After sparking numerous speculations about its origins, the metal polished Utah monolith was removed by unknown people soon after its discovery. This disappearance is less mysterious, having been filmed and published on social networks.
A video showing the removal of the steel obelisk, discovered in mid-November in the desert of Utah, in the western United States, was posted on the Internet by a person who claims to have participated in this removal.
“On the night of November 27, 2020, at about 8:30pm— our team removed the Utah Monolith. We will not be including any other information, answers, or insight at this time,” said the individual who posted it.
According to the New York Post, this is Andy Lewis, a basejumper and strap-on tightrope walker based in Moab.
Video shows three men clearing the monolith on a wheelbarrow, as the fourth member of the team films their actions.
In a statement quoted by the New York Post, the group said they took action after seeing “the damage caused by Internet sensationalism” in the area of this bizarre work of art, from the people who flocked to the desert to view it, days after its discovery.
“This region was not physically prepared for an increase in population (especially during a pandemic),” they wrote.
Photographer Ross Bernards previously announced on Instagram that he saw four men overturn the almost 10 feet high monolith on Friday, November 27. According to him, the men took the obelisk on a wheelbarrow to an unknown destination, while he was taking a break after a series of photos of the monument.
While indicating that he did not know the motives for this act, Ross Bernards considered that the men were right in doing so. According to him, the appearance of the monolith had attracted many people to the desert who left a lot of waste and harmed the fragile environment of this region.
“If you’re asking why we didn’t stop them well, they were right to take it out. We stayed the night and the next day hiked to a hill top overlooking the area where we saw at least 70 different cars (and a plane) in and out. Cars parking everywhere in the delicate desert landscape. Nobody following a path or each other. We could literally see people trying to approach it from every direction to try and reach it, permanently altering the untouched landscape. Mother Nature is an artist, it’s best to leave the art in the wild to her,” he expressed.
https://youtu.be/r6c2EhNtSj4
