Robert Smithson Earthworks Analysis

The sculpture I chose to write about is Earthworks. Earthworks are a large scale of modern sculptures created partially by environment and partially by man. The larger the sculpture the more visible they are from above. One famous earthwork is by Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty. It was created on the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It is also the spot where the rails if the First Continental Railroad were joined. The spiral shape has much symbolic meaning in the world. When I see this art work I see the circle of life. How everything from the earth and landscapes to the animals to the people living and dying in a continuous circle and never ending. The shape just goes on and on. Its like the path we must stay on while going through life. You must stay on the right path in order for you to get where you need to be. Smithson interpreted the landscape in much of the same way. Life, death, yin and yang, opposite and attraction. I also look at the piece and think of it as one of the many wonderful creations God made and man has been given the chance to improve by adding his or her own little additions to make the piece something that can be appreciated and looked …show more content…
They just see a plain piece of land. Smithson saw a way to create art in a way the people could truly appreciate it. Simply by adding rocks to a spiral shape. A few rocks made meaning came from a simple piece of land near water. I think the artist intended to make the art and let nature do the rest. People have tried to restore the piece but I think the true artwork is emerged when the drought is over. That is environment doing its part in the creation. The intent of the artist is to show the greatness the environment and the world around us have to offer. By standing back and letting nature take its course a whole other meaning is