i have, at one time seen a picture of the "spiral jetty," and am now again looking that photograph. i have combed the web and my college library but to no avail. if any one could help me locate a picture, the name of the sculptor or location, it would be much appreciated.

-- scott shell (sshell40@hotmail.com), October 01, 1999

Answers

The artist is Robert Smithson. The project was created in 1970 on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The project is now under water. The book "American Artists on Art: From 1940 to 1980" edited by Ellen Johnson cpyright 1982 has writings by the artist on the project and a photo. The artist also made a film about the project that may be available at some univesities.

-- A Atkinson (jcpope@jccomp.com), October 06, 1999.

Today is August 20, 2002. I've jsut returned from flying over the Spiral Jetty. The lake is just low enough to see it with a few rocks beginning to break the surface. It is quite a site to see.

-- steve conlin (stconlin@aol.com), August 20, 2002.

I have been obsessed with the Spiral Jetty ever since I was shown a photo of it in an art history book about ten years ago. Every time I fly from Pocatello Idaho to Salt Lake City, I try to find it if we go over the northern part of the lake. I tried to find it once with the help of the "crude map" the rangers at Golden Spike have, and got lost.

Yesterday, September 14, 2002, I actually got there. It was a wonderful experience! The lake water is pale pink, and the rocks of the Jetty that are exposed are encrusted with pure white salt, and look like decorative frosting. I didn't have reef walking shoes, so did not go out on it, but many others did. I found the best view was from the top of the hill of Roselle Point.

I hope Dia Center, who owns the earthwork (www.diacenter.org/ltproj/spiraljetty/) will take some responsibility for protecting it, now that it is once again visible. They need to gain ownership of the land, so there can be some signage and a restroom facility. I also hope they do not, as suggested at the above-referenced site, try to build it higher. It is find, just as it is!

Muriel Roberts, Pocatello Idaho

-- Muriel Roberts (murielroberts@cableone.net), September 15, 2002.