Where the Heck is Yucca Fountain? Inside an Immersive Atomic Art Exhibit

Step back into the "Wild West" of nuclear testing with Wyoming Chronicle as we explore a unique, immersive art installation at the University of Wyoming Art Museum in Laramie. "Where the Heck is Yucca Fountain?" is a dark, atmospheric resurrection of a 1950s soda fountain that once stood in the heart of the Nevada nuclear test site. Originally created in 2019, this marks only the second time the exhibit has been displayed since its debut seven years ago at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In this installment, producer Steve Peck and videographer Kyle Duba take you behind the scenes of a collaborative construction project within the gallery walls. While the original Nevada diner burned to the ground in 1958, this recreation brings the "Atomic Age" back to life through the work of Museum Preparators—the skilled staff members who handle the physical labor of "making" an exhibit. What’s new in the Laramie installation: 👉 A Multi-Location Experience: While the main recreation of the diner and the camper trailer belonging to preservationist Burt Tuttle are housed at the UW Art Museum, a third component—the original diner booth—is located two miles away at Sunshine Coffee. 👉 Authentic Textures: Discover how the team moved tons of gravel into the museum to replicate the unpaved desert surface of the 1950s. 👉 The Role of the Preparator: Learn how these "tradespeople with art degrees" transitioned from hanging paintings to building a full-scale wood and metal replica of a desert shanty. 👉 Recorded on location in Laramie, this episode captures the eerie, humorous, and nostalgic essence of a world shaped by high science and the desert sun. Visit the University of Wyoming Art Museum: https://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/ ... Chapter Markers 0:00 - Introduction: The Atomic Era and the Legend of Yucca Fountain 0:44 - A Rare Display: From Greeley, Colorado to Laramie, Wyoming 1:23 - Burt Tuttle and the Salvaged Remains of a 1958 Fire 1:53 - Defining the "Preparator": The Tradespeople of the Art Museum 3:11 - Constructing the Diner: Wood, Metal, and Atomic Authenticity 4:19 - Transforming the Gallery: A Desert-scape in Laramie 5:30 - Comparing the Original 2019 Layout to Today 6:45 - The Mystery of Burt Tuttle’s Camper Trailer 7:48 - Collaborative Art: Working with Andrew Bablo and Helen Popinchalk 9:23 - Sourcing Materials: Homestead History Meets Art Installation 11:31 - Moving Three Tons of Gravel into a Museum 12:58 - Special Effects: Rumbles, Dimmers, and Atomic Blast Footage 14:55 - Why a "Shed" is Art: The Creative Process of Installation 17:16 - Sunshine Coffee: Finding the "Hidden" Diner Booth 2 Miles Away 18:41 - Site-Specific Evolution: How the Exhibit Changes Over Time 19:37 - Understanding "Poiesis": Making-With and Collaboration 22:26 - Meet the Team: Curatorial Standards at UW 23:49 - Being an Artist in Wyoming: The Laramie Art Scene 25:38 - Recapturing Lost Time: Final Thoughts on the Yucca Fountain Legacy ... With Wyoming PBS content you can delve into Wyoming history, explore the breathtaking beauty of our iconic national parks, and immerse yourself in the inspiring tales of Native American leaders, ranching life, the wonders of nature, and the many things to do in Wyoming. Whether you're seeking inspiring narratives or planning your next adventure in our beautiful state, WY PBS is your trusted guide. Subscribe to our channel:    / wyomingpbs   Subscribe to our email newsletter: https://www.wyomingpbs.org/newsletter... Follow us on Facebook:   / wyomingpbs   Follow us on LinkedIn:   / wyoming-pbs