What is Spiral Jetty?
Spiral Jetty. Spiral Jetty is an earthwork sculpture constructed in April 1970 that is considered to be the most important work of American sculptor Robert Smithson. Smithson documented the construction of the sculpture in a 32-minute color film also titled Spiral Jetty . Built on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake...
What kind of rock is in Spiral Jetty?
Robert Smithson (American, 1938–1973), Spiral Jetty, 1970, Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake, Utah, black basalt rock, salt crystals, earth, and water, 1,500 ft. long and approximately 15 ft. wide. © Holt/Smithson Foundation and Dia Art Foundation, licensed by VAGA, New York.
When was the Spiral Jetty filmed?
In 1970 during the construction of the jetty, Robert Smithson wrote and directed a 32-minute color film, Spiral Jetty. The film was shot by Smithson and his wife Nancy Holt, and funded by Virginia Dwan and Douglas Christmas.
Is Spiral Jetty connected to the Great Salt Lake?
The close communion between Spiral Jetty and the super-saline Great Salt Lake emphasizes the entropic processes of erosion and physical disorder with which Smithson was continually fascinated. On the occasion of Spiral Jetty 's fiftieth year, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts invited four brilliant Utahns to share their perspectives.
How was Spiral Jetty created?
1970Spiral Jetty / Created
How long did it take to build Spiral Jetty?
six daysConstructed over the period of six days in 1970 with the assistance of local crews, the Spiral Jetty is composed of more than 6,000 tons of black basalt rock and earth.
What did Robert Smithson use to make Spiral Jetty?
basalt rocksOne of the finest examples of Land Art was indeed Spiral Jetty, constructed in April 1970 according to the concept of Robert Smithson. It was made of mud, salt crystals, and basalt rocks on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point in Utah.
What type of sculpture is Spiral Jetty?
SculptureSpiral Jetty / FormSculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Wikipedia
How long was Spiral Jetty Underwater?
Smithson's Spiral Jetty is a 1,500-foot-long work created in 1970 during a drought and subsequently was submerged for more than three decades before resurfacing in 2002. As a result of the new record lows, the winding basalt rocks are perhaps more exposed than ever before.
Does Spiral Jetty still exist?
Spiral Jetty is only visible when the water level is below about 4195 feet. It was submerged soon after its creation and stayed underwater for 30 years. Due to drought, it has been dry since 2002. Until the Great Salt Lake rises significantly, the jetty will probably be visible for years to come.
Can you swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Swimming and sunbathing are popular on the clean, white sand beaches at Antelope Island State Park. The salinity of the water averages about 12%, making it much saltier than the ocean. The water is so buoyant that people can easily float. Freshwater showers are available to rinse off after swimming.
Who created the sun tunnels?
Nancy HoltSun Tunnels / ArtistSituated north of the quiet community of West Wendover, artist Nancy Holt created the Sun Tunnels installation from 1973-76, designed to explore the human perception of time and space, earth and sky.
What is unique about the Spiral Jetty?
Made of black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the site, Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide coil that stretches more than 1,500 feet into the lake. Undoubtedly the most famous large-scale earthwork of the period, it has come to epitomize Land art.
What are land art materials?
Although the precise meaning of each construction varied, the underlying aim of this novel type of visual art was to create artistic imagery using earth, rocks, soil and other natural material, with a view to increasing our sensibility towards our environment.
What is unique about the Spiral Jetty?
Made of black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the site, Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide coil that stretches more than 1,500 feet into the lake. Undoubtedly the most famous large-scale earthwork of the period, it has come to epitomize Land art.
Why is Spiral Jetty significant?
Spiral Jetty serves as a site from which to view the surroundings—the prehistoric environment that Smithson selected for it. 1 Robert Smithson, “Conversation in Salt Lake City (1972),” in Robert Smithson: Collected Writings, ed.
What inspired the Spiral Jetty?
Critics argue that the spiral shape of the Spiral Jetty was influenced by the physical structure of the salt crystals that slowly coated the rocks used in construction within the lake, which creates a spiral-like shape. Spiral Jetty is also a symbol of the artist's fascination with the topography of the place.
Is Spiral Jetty a low relief sculpture?
Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty in 1970 put the modern Earth-art movement in high relief. He left his mark with a massive earthwork sculpture on the northeast edge of the Great Salt Lake. It's 15 feet wide and coils for 1,500 feet near the lake edge.
What is the Spiral Jetty?
1970. Built at the mouth of a terminal basin rich in minerals and nearly devoid of life, Spiral Jetty is a testament to Smithson’s fascination with entropy.
Who designed the spiral jetty?
Gary Shapiro. Robert Smithson designed and directed the construction of his iconic work the Spiral Jetty in April 1970. The Jetty is a site-specific work, meant to interact with changing conditions of the surrounding water, land, and atmosphere.
How many tons of rock are in the spiral jetty?
Constructed from 6,650 tons of rock and earth, the spiral continuously changes form as nature, industry, and time take effect. In 1999 Nancy Holt and the Estate of Robert Smithson donated the earthwork to Dia Art Foundation, who continue as stewards. Click here for details on visiting Spiral Jetty.
Is the spiral jetty a non-site?
The artist's essay "The Spiral Jetty" and the eponymous film he made with Nancy Holt, can be considered as coordinate " non-site" aspects of the artwork.
Who created the spiral jetty?
The monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) was created by artist Robert Smithson and is located off Rozel Point in the north arm of Great Salt Lake. Made of black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the site, Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide coil that stretches more than 1,500 feet into the lake. Undoubtedly the most famous large-scale earthwork of the period, it has come to epitomize Land art. Its exceptional art historical importance and its unique beauty have drawn visitors and media attention from throughout Utah and around the world.
What museum is spiral jetty in?
On the occasion of Spiral Jetty 's fiftieth year, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts invited four brilliant Utahns to share their perspectives. Read the series here.
Where is the spiral jetty?
It is located on the North-Eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake, near Rozel Point (Near Promontory in Box Elder County , Utah, NOT IN SALINA, UTAH.) He created the jetty with basalt rock in 1970. The jetty's visibility depends on the current water level. We first went out on July 15, 2012. The jetty was visible, but I only walked 3/4 of the way before the wind/water made it too deep to continue. We returned on March 9, 2013. The jetty was much more visible, and still required water shoes to walk the entire length.
How far away is the spiral jetty?
It's only about 45 minutes to an hour away. It is best if the water level is just right, or sometimes no water at all for the best views. I actually prefer viewing it with no water around it because it allows a lot of exploration and peaceful, plaintive walks. It's an impressive piece that you can walk on and around, even into the water a little bit. For many years it remained hidden under the water, and there's no telling when it will be hidden again. Thoughts of preservation are curtailed by the artist's intentions, so it's future is unsure. I recommend visiting it while you still can! I most recommend visiting during sunset as the sunset over the Great Salt Lake is always stunning and with the Jetty there as well, it makes for quite a highlight of a trip up in that direction. Also, dogs are welcome on leash! Always a pro for me!
Where is the spiral jetty in Salt Lake City?
The Spiral Jetty is about a 2 hour drive from Salt Lake City. If you drive through Corinne, you will see Promontory Point and the National Parks monument commemorating the joining of the transcontinental railroad. That is a good stop for its own sake. Use the restrooms because there is nothing at the Spiral Jetty. The visitors center also can give you directions to the Spiral Jetty.
Is spiral jetty free?
Enjoy Spiral Jetty from the comfort of your computer. This is a case where pictures are worth a thousand visits. At least is was free. Enough said. I warned you!
Is the spiral jetty open year round?
The opportunity to visit one of the late Robert Smithson's earthworks should never be missed. Spiral Jetty is awe inspiring and completely magnificent. The decade long drought has left it exposed and accessible year-round. Walking down to it you will find lovely treasures and homages to Smithson's work.
