In the Great Salt Lake in Utah, there is an artwork called Spiral Jetty that is made out of black basalt rocks and dirt. It was created in 1970 by a man named Robert Smithson who was touted as “one of the most influential artists of his generation.” (Tickle 2005) He created the 1,500 foot long and fifteen foot wide ‘sculpture’ that spirals into the Great Salt Lake to arouse awareness and consciousness of the environment. He created it in one of the most desolate places in the United States, where it can only be accessed by foot or by fly-over.
In your post this week, please answer one or more of these questions about Smithson’s Spiral Jetty: Why did Smithson bother to create an artwork in such a remote area? Do you think the effort was worth the result? Is this artwork influential?
Sources:
Tickle, Ashley. July 20, 2005. Dia Art Foundation and the University of California Press publish new book
on Robert Smithson’s monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty. Found at:
http://www.diaart.org/press_releases/main/57.
Don, Timothy. March 23, 2010. The winding road to Spiral Jetty. Lapham’s Quarterly a magazine of
history and ideas. Found at:
http://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/roundtable/the-winding-road.php.
He wanted to promote the environment, even if someone would see it. I think his idea was brilliant. Even though someone couldn't see it easily, doesn't mean they wouldn't want to enough to try. The result was definitly worth it, both showing his artistic ability and promoting a good cause.
ReplyDeleteThe piece of art is influential. It shows that even if people think it is not necessary, he still went for it. He believed in the cause and in himself and did what he himself thought was the best thing to do.
Sources:
Johnson, Kirk. March 22, 2008. Dia Art Foundaiton http://www.diaart.org/sites/page/59/1381
Ry, this is a fantastic post. Excellent citation as well. Do you think the work would have been as influential if it were in a different location?
ReplyDeleteI believe a lot of people think it would be. They would be able to see it, and appreciate it without the work of getting there. But I think that is that point. He wanted it that way. To appreciate it, you have to give a little effort to see it.
ReplyDeleteThis was perfect peice of art work he had alot of creativity and is incredible of how he came up with the piece. http://www.diaart.org/sites/main/spiraljetty
ReplyDeleteRobert picked such a remote spot because of the red water and how it would react with the salt crystals that he used to construct the Jetty. I most deffinately think that it was worth all the effort he put into it, for one he wanted to make a peice of art that showed environment awareness and by trying to show that he only used the Earth to make his project. I really like his art work because its not something you see everyday, it hasn't been done before and it makes you think about how he could have came up with this idea. Including the fact that you can only see it from land at certain times is pretty cool and makes it more exciting to see. I'd say it's very influential because it has a purpose to show that he wanted to help the environment. He wanted to make his mark and not be forgotten, which he accomplished.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/13/magazine/the-way-we-live-now-10-13-02-phenomenon-out-of-the-deep.html, August 31, 2012 By Michael Kimmelman Published: October 13, 2002
I agree with Krissie very much on her point. It was and intellegent piece of art. Not only does it show he has artistic capabilities, but scientific knowledge as well
ReplyDeleteI found the picture at http://venetianred.net/2008/09/25/smithsons-antediluvian-spiral-jetty.
ReplyDeleteThe colors in the picture are blue, brown, and white. It uses spiral lines and straight lines. It has stuff coming off of the spirals.
Ry I agree with your post.
it is a great piece of art. its a good way to show that the earth can be shown by greatness. but is would be fun to dirt track race on there.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.diaart.org/sites/main/spiraljetty
Why did smithson bother to create art in such a remote area? Do you think the effort was worth the result? Is this artwork influencial?
ReplyDeleteWhen i went to this site: http://www.robertsmithson.com/earthworks/spiral_jetty.htm
I found many photos of the "Jetty" I really enjoy this piece I like how it starts in the middle of no where and ends no where! I think it can be influencial if you look at it from a positive point of view. Seeing it positively it might represent a journey or your life. What I mean is as you walk on the "path" of life you encounter bad things as well as make many memories with friends and family and even though your at the end and nothing is there you can at least look back and know that at least the ride was fun! I think it was creative of Smithson to do such a piece of work I believe that for people who appreciate this piece it was worth all the effort, but why he chose that spot i dont know.
I agree with Banana very much, this art piece has alot of effect on all aspects of life, its not limited to just one idea which I like. It really shows creativity and its interesting to wonder about.
ReplyDeleteThe Spiral Jetty was made in the 1970s. Smithson chose this specific spot because it inspired him and didn't worry about who would be able to see it. Even though it is important to keep in mind how others will respond to our art we shouldn't base our thoughts and ideas on if others will like it. You need to make art that inspires you, and makes you happy. I do believe that his efforts are worth it. Many people get see and enjoy the spiral jetty when the tide is low enough. This piece of art was influental. Even though it was only made from rocks, it still is inspiing. It makes you think.
ReplyDeleteI think Caitlin has a good piont. Anything can be influencial if you look at with a positive view. He used the contrast between the rocks and water to make an affect. That has the possibility to be influencial.
http://www.robertsmithson.com/essays/nymjul.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Jetty
Cutter,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. My only question for you is: Do you think that Duchamp's piece that we looked at last week could also be influential if viewed with a positive attitude?
Krissie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Do you think the meaning of the piece would have changed if it had been done in a more populated place?
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteFantastic post.
Do you think Smitshon could have used a different material to make his piece more influential?
Goodgrade,
ReplyDeleteWould dirt track racing on the work make it more influential? Do you think the artist would have approved or disapproved of such activity?
1.He built it because he loves to do art, and he probably had nothing better too do, so he did art.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, it looks pretty cool.
3. Yes to some people.
I think that he put this in such an odd place so that maybe the area would get more attention and more visitors. It also helps with the appearance of the landscape around it. I think that it was worth the effort because it is a very complex piece of art and it is very interesting. It has unique features that can be seen from miles away. I personally think that this piece of art is very influential because it tells you that you can take natural things from earth and you can put them together and make art out of it. And I also think that the salty sea water helps bring out the values of this art. It adds a lot of value to it.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a good idea to put it in such a remote place to draw attention to the spot. Now that there is something so amazing in this place more people will visit it and it will become famous. I definitaly think it was worth the effort, he seen something that was boring and plain and he turned in in to art.
ReplyDeleteMr. Cavill, I think that anything can be influencial if you look at it from a positive point of view. The only reason why things are ever bad is because we lead ourselves to believe that it is sad or bad. No one ever thinks about it being a sign from god or a test of faith. I admit I can be a pretty negative person at times but I do know that alot of what happens to me is life.
ReplyDeleteLM3094 and MN3028,
ReplyDeleteYou raise an interesting point when you say that the work itself might draw more people to the area. Do you think that the meaning and purpose of the artwork would change if the spot became a 'tourist trap?'
So i say yes Duchamps art can be positive!
ReplyDeleteCutter,
ReplyDeleteYour insight and introspection are appreciated! Do you think it is possible that the purpose of this artwork (and Duchamp's) is to cause us to be introspective?
i believe that he created this amazing peice of art work in sucha remote place because now when people do see it or come across it or here about it there going to be even more amazed or curiouse to know about it because its just out there and its just interesting and arouses peoples curiousety and yes i believe it was a very influential peice cuz it makes people think about the envirement and for one person to go to that extreme to change the envirenment or to better it than mabey other people will want to help too
ReplyDeleteand i agree with krissies comment again on why he put it there also because of how it would react with that water and make it look the way it did
ReplyDeleteI think that Smithson built this amazing piece of artwork in such a remote area so that many people can see every aspect of it. Theres an interesting look to this piece of work that makes it look so meaningful.I believe that Smithson built this for a reason to show other people that they should never give up in life, even if life can get hard at times as long as you keep succeeding in what you do and as long you always have faith. You may make a beautiful piece of art someday that other people will be able to see and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI also think that yes it is very much an influence to me because it just influences me to do better in life and work hard everyday and make the best of it. I also agree with what krissie said, she mad a very good point about how the water reacts with the salt crystals to make it the way it looks today.
ReplyDeleteNo I think that would be the same it just wouldn’t be as unique because then everyone would know of it.
ReplyDeleteI think that he built it in such an exotic place; where it is already gorgeous. It is located by some mountains and a valley spills into a lake. So if you would go there you wouldn’t just see the ‘Jetty’.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion another reason he constructed it there was that during the process of the project he wouldn’t have to worry about people interrupting. I also think that it was worth the effort, because he created something different, and something that can be seen for years to come. It was also an art work made with objects from the earth, and they wouldn't harm the animals that lived in the waters. The art work is influential, in my opinion. It shows that there are many different ways to show art and how it can influence others. Not only was he going to have one in Utah, but he was planning one in Texas. But while planning it he died in an airplane accident. It was influential on him showing how he liked art, and how he wanted to influence others.
Klyaica I think you have a good point on how if if you are inspired by art then you can make it our of anything you want and picking a remote area was also good because they werent many people at this site but at the same time once he is done it will attract more people to it.
ReplyDeleteSmithson made this piece of art because he was trying to create awareness of the environment and create art in nature. He said “there is nothing natural in the Museum of Natural History.” That is very true. There are not alot of artworks created in nature. He used nature to make something beautiful. I think it is very influencial because it makes people think the way he did and helps them see how nature is art.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Klyaica, it was influencial since he made something that would be around for years to come and that he made it using objects from the earth that wouldn't harm other things in nature.
ReplyDeleteI think this piece of art was influential because it gets people to think about the environment. The fact that he accomplished his goal is made apparent by the outcry of the people in the area at the application of the Pearl Montana Exploration and Production oil and gas company for drilling. Because of public outcry the state turned it down. People had become aware of their environment and had done something to protect it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ry. The fact that it is such a remote place makes you have to work for it. You have to make an effort to see this piece. (Forgot my source) http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10279327-52.html
ReplyDeleteYou can only see the Spiral Jetty at certain times when the tide is low. Smithson created this art work in such a remote area because he didn't want people to take it for granted. This piece of art is not something you get to see everyday.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Jetty
I think that the work that he put into this sculpture was worth every bit. The art work that is put in such a remote location i think is becasue if a normal person seen it on a normal day they would think that they had descovered such a nice piece of art work and they would be astonished and in the other hand if someone was up in a plane they wouldnt expect to see something like that and they would be in shock and awe
ReplyDeleteI agree with MS3271; you can't take it for granted. And that you also get to see it in High tide and low tide, so you can see it in different ways so its not like anyother art. Once you see it you will never forget it. becasue like MS3271 said, its not something you see everyday.
ReplyDeleteSorry i forgot this earlier. -->(http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/13/magazine/the-way-we-live-now-10-13-02-phenomenon-out-of-the-deep.html
Yes! Mr. Cavill! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10279327-52.html
ReplyDeleteIt took 6 days to construct the Spiral Jetty. 1,500 feet in 6 days! That's crazy! I do think that the result was definitely worth the effort that was put into the project. I also think it is very influential. Why wouldn't it be? Maybe others will see that some hard work actually pays off. Especially if it's to help another person or in this case a special place.
Smithson created the Spiral Jetty in such a remote place because he wanted it to be a part of nature. He used natural materials. It is a very interesting piece of artwork because it is sometimes underwater when the elevation of the Great Salt Lake is above it. Smithson was very creative when choosing the location of this masterpiece. It is truly beautiful from the sky I'm sure. I agree with Krissie when she stated in her post about how the piece raises environmental awareness, showing that he only used natural materials in this piece. It is a very unique piece of art and it is definately not something you see every day. I really give Smithson credit for his creativity in this project.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Krissie when she stated about how Smithson put alot of thought into the Spiral Jetty. He considered how the red water would react with the salt crystals. He out forth alot of effort into this project.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is pretty cool but it should have been in a different location. I think that it would have been seen by more people that way and then he could get his point across better. Right now its 32 miles away from the nearest town. I just think that it is kind of absurd.
ReplyDeletehttp://climb-utah.com/WM/spiraljetty.htm
Cody. I think that it should have been closer. That way more people could access it. An ideal distance would have been eight to ten miles.
ReplyDelete