Mt. Rushmore Replicated in Radisson's Marble Art

Nobody can recreate the mind-boggling natural beauty found in this part of the world.

Impressed with the beauty of the Black Hills, a Finnish artist/designer incorporated scenic attractions of the area into one-of-a-kind mosaic artwork that greets guests at Rapid City's downtown Radisson hotel.

After spending several days touring the Black Hills, Harri Aalto told hotelier Karim Marali, "Nobody can recreate the mind-boggling natural beauty found in this part of the world."

But Marali believes his guests may argue that point when they see the "masterpiece" described by some architects and designers as "the most advanced stone floor created since the Renaissance."

New waterjet technology allowed the artist to put curved edges on more than 900 pieces of intricately cut natural stone, pieced together like a giant jigsaw puzzle to create the the impressive 60' long by 24' wide design on the lobby floor

It was that new technology that enabled Marali and Aalto to create a "visually aesthetic" decor, in keeping with the natural surroundings. The hotel's location, on the corner of Rapid City's Main Street and Mount Rushmore Road, made the selection of the Shrine of Democracy a natural choice for the lobby's focal point.

Mount Rushmore was once again set in stone, this time as an 18'-diameter center medallion that replicates the famed presidential faces Borglum carved on the nearby mountain. Blue and brown strips of stone surrounding the medallion were "inspired by the feathered ends of Sioux Indian arrows," according to Aalto.

When Marali, managing partner of Dallas-based Shiba Investments, purchased the financially-troubled former Hilton Inn two years ago, he was determined to offer guests something unique in interior decor.

"Can you imagine spending days marveling at the beauty of American nature only to come back to a nondescript hotel with nondescript rooms?"

After months of searching for the resources to realize his dream, Marali heard about waterjet technology and contacted Aalto at his Creative Edge Corporation based in Iowa.

The two men began exploring creative possibilities to incorporate the scenic beauty of the Black Hills into the Radisson's decor. They shopped the world for the 75 different kinds of natural stones that fashion the art underfoot. "Our goal was to impart the flavor of America into the hotel," Marali said.

Rapid City is one of the most visited areas in the country. More than five million people annually come to see the Black Hill, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial and much more. We saw this as an opportunity to capitalize on the beauty of the surrounding area.

Mount Rushmore historian Howard Shaft describes the Radisson's lobby floor as "the most fitting tribute to America's most well-known landmark."

Behind the registration desk, Aalto designed a 14' x 14' wall mural, composed of more than 3,000 pieces of waterjet-cut ceramic tile, stone, steel and brass, that depicts images indigenous only to the area --- buffalo grazing along the banks of a winding river; a waterfall with a fish leaping from its base; Custer State Park, Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake.

Surrounding walls in the lobby, hand-painted in a traditional technique imitating decades of exposure to the elements, provide a simple, non-distracting backdrop for the mosaic artwork.

"In this corner of the United States, there is inspiration visual stimuli every direction you look outdoors," said designer Aalto. "I wanted to offer exciting visuals indoors, as well."

The natural Black Hills theme carries through in landscaping leading to the hotel entrance. A micro-scape representative of the geology of the area utilizes native trees and shrubs surrounded by 90 tons of large granite rock blasted from Crazy Horse Memorial.

Marali's renovations did not end at the lobby. Tiles of Dakota Mahogany granite quarried within the state decorate restaurant pillars. Upstairs, a ceramic tiled pool surround is set with waterjet-cut fish. Customized bedspreads in the 176 guest rooms are replicated from a design found in a Brussels museum; drapes and carpeting were replaced throughout and meeting and banquet rooms were redone.