Eliphante is 3+acres of kaleidoscopic, hand-built outdoor sculptures, cared for by Eliphante, Ltd,- a member-supported, volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit since 1987.
This year brought Eliphante a wonder of open doors and continuing efforts of preservation while continuing toward saving Eliphante for present and future generations to enjoy!
You can download the report by clicking the image or this link.
Thanks for your ongoing support as we continue to grow!
A BIG congratulations to Paul & Cathy Gazda, of Sedona, AZ, on their winning an original pastel painting by the late Michael Kahn. Entrants submitted their raffle tickets by June 15 and the drawing was held on July 1st.
We'd like to thank you to all who entered, and we'd like to share that we had a great success with this fund raiser, bringing in exactly $3,000 toward the preservation and restoration of Eliphante!
If you or someone you know is a fine art lover, collector or appreciator, let them know about Eliphante's Art Raffles, as there are sure to be more to come with other Eliphante originals, and works of other artists who support Eliphante.
Eliphante, Ltd., - a 501(c)(3) - PO Box 971, Cornville, AZ 86325 Contact: info@eliphante.org
Fine Art Raffle for the Preservation & Restoration of Eliphante
Eliphante, Ltd., a volunteer-based non-profit working to preserve an extraordinary artist's compound in Cornville, is offering for raffle an original pastel painting by late artist & builder of Eliphante, Michael Kahn. Eliphante–a beautifully hand-sculpted artistic wonderland in the Verde Valley on the banks of Oak Creek– was built from found and recycled materials in quirky and eccentric fashion. Over its more than 30 years under the Arizona sun, Eliphante's various buildings are falling into disrepair and in need of your support to save this unique and inspirational home of an artistic couple. "After Mike's death, it became difficult for me to remain there without him. But in these last few years, I have become happily reconnected with Eliphante and its present leadership. Their combined creativity, love and energy for Eliphante, and for Michael's art, would please all of you," shares Leda Kahn, Michael's widow and co-creator of Eliphante.
The pastel painting is an abstract (as pictured here) measuring approx. 10" x 17", matted and framed with glass (frame approx. 17" x 24") – a gallery value of $800. Raffle tickets may be purchased for $25 each or five for $100. Entries must be returned by June 15th, as the drawing will be held July 1st. While there will be only one winner of the pastel, you will all be winners by virtue of your help to Eliphante.
To request an entry into this fine art raffle or to get more information about Eliphante's preservation and restoration efforts, visit this organization online at: www.eliphante.org or email info@eliphante.org.
This amazing site-specific art form is the 20-plus year work of Michael Kahn and Leda Livant along with scores of friends who, over the years, gathered and recycled just about anything at all to construct the forms, structures, grottos, caves, galleries, living pods and gardens that comprise the Southwest's most stunning site-specific art installation.
The non-profit's caretakers, Tracy and Ryan, are working with Yavapai County to acquire permits to allow the public access; meanwhile, they work on funding to secure the land and preserve the site. Originally "leased" to Michael and Leda, the 3-plus acres on Oak Creek became home and sanctuary to the artists, who lovingly worked the landscape in a manner reminiscent of Simon Rodia's Watts Towers in Los Angeles.
Driving into the site and onto the grounds of Eliphante is surreal - the Oak Creek must first be forded, and then you walk onto softly-rolling hillocks of moss - or is that some desert grass? No, it's the much more prosaic "astro turf" that blankets the entire site, forming a pseudo-lush Alice's Wonderland playground.
The various buildings on the site are called HippoDome, Eliphante and Pipe Dreams, all surrounded by freeform sculptural works, ponds, out buildings, sinuous walls, benches, swings, lights, and pathways. A charming story-tellers nook, a mini amphitheater of stones and tiered astro-turf plinths, is announced by a playful shovel-cum-signpost.
Experiencing the partly-underground spaces is otherworldly - chilly, quiet and infused with a celestial light from the stained glass, soft burlap folds and refractive mylar overhead. Walls are obsessively-detailed friezes of mosaic, marbles, glass, stones, wood blocks, mirrors and branches. Passages wind back on themselves. Doors are hidden, surprises abundant.
The eclectic history and cultural significance of Eliphante have elevated Cornville to the unlikely status of art Mecca.
This full-color tri-fold brochure features photos of Eliphante, installation history and preservation details, including a quick mention of the community project Roadrunner Speaks. This is a great media piece to use for promotional material, public relations, press release material, or high resolution graphics of Eliphante.
Thanks for visiting Eliphante Village online! We are excited to launch a new home on the web for our visitors and organizers. Initially, this blog will be the home to articles, photos and slideshows of present and past Eliphante.
Eliphante is a 3-acre art installation in Cornville, Arizona, built by Michael Kahn and Leda Livant-Kahn over 28 years. It's vision and intent is carried on by its Caretakers and non-profit Board of Directors. Please help by donating to preserve and restore Eliphante!
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