Robert Smithson and Nancy Holt

Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty Film Still, 1970

In the seventh week of student led presentations we discussed the works created by Robert Smithson and Nancy Holt. Starting with Robert Smithson, we considered the concepts behind Spiral Jetty. The general concept our class analyzed was that walking down the jetty is meant to be like circling back to one's center, or roots. As the class examined both Spiral Jetty, Sun Tunnels, and other works by these artists, it was brought up that they look very simple, but that the process of creating these works is vast. We questioned the importance of understanding the process and how that may change the perception of the work, and whether that understanding of process is a success or failure.

Nancy Holt, Sunlight in Sun Tunnels (Detail), 1976

In the articles, Holt brought up that she would like for her works to outlive her. Longevity and endurance of the Sun Tunnels was compared to that of ancient works, like mounds and caves, and determined that it makes sense for the Sun Tunnels to last for a very long time because of these ancient ideas it echoes. Many of these ancient works were sacred, or at least thought of as so. This brought up the idea that earthworks could perhaps make things sacred, and in regards to this, the words “spiritual” and “worship” were brought up a few times. Talking about Holt once again, we discussed what future generations may think of her works and the impulses to align things with the stars.

Nancy Holt, Drawing for Positioning of Holes in the Perseus Constellation, 1975

In relation to perception, we dissected the meaning between scale and size. We concluded that size is a more formal element, and scale has more to do with the viewers own perspective.

As artists and viewers, we are trained to think that art should last forever, but more so in the context of museum art. We discussed the difference in values of museum works and earthworks, and how earthworks would not be what they are if in a museum. It was concluded that both, although seemingly opposite of one another, could be thought of as elitist. 

Road in between Golden Spike and Spiral Jetty, August 2005

Going off the topic of museums and the access they provide, we discussed road maintenance and access to these works, and how that impacts them. This was primarily discussed in relation to Spiral Jetty, the Golden Spike, and the road in between the two. In this conversation, it was concluded that earthworks offer much different experiences than museums can. 

Demi Fenicle, Megan Sutton, Lilly McClung, Katherine Thomas