Nagase was picked from nearly 100 applicants from around the world, with five finalists making presentations back in October.

Nagase was not in attendance Tuesday, but in a release he says his plan includes two of nature's most forceful elements: wind and water.

Community arts coordinator Anna Huntington says, "His idea is these natural elements, wind and water and how they've transformed the landscape and also the people who live in this area. So the interiors of the stones will tell one story about that and the exterior will tell a slightly different story about it."

Destination Rapid City president Dan Senftner says, "A lot of his work is hand work. It's hand sculpting, very interactive with the tourists and the local, the community. What an exciting thing."

Nagase plans to be in Rapid City in January for a public reception. He's set to start work next summer, and the whole project will be open to the public as it unfolds.

-Jack Caudill