A massive swirl etched into the land, Spiral Jetty has amazed and inspired locals and tourists alike since its construction by Robert Smithson in 1970.
“Often cited as the most iconic earthwork, [the Jetty] is perhaps one of the most recognized artworks of the 20th century,” said Whitney Tassie, curator of modern and contemporary art at the UMFA.
Like much of the art created in the 1960s and 1970s, Spiral Jetty pushes beyond the boundaries of gallery spaces and institutes. It is a piece “made from and situated in the landscape” of the Great Salt Lake, said Tassie.
Living in northern Utah means this major and definitive work of landscape art is right here in our own backyard. Despite its close proximity, however, few residents have actually been to the massive structure.
The UMFA aims to fix that.
This fall, the UMFA invites people to attend the Spiral Jetty Community Meet up as part of their “ARTLandish: Land Art, Landscape, and the Environment” program.
Students and residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and are reminded to prepare for changeable weather patterns. Transportation to the site is not provided. A normal car is sufficient to make the journey, as a four-wheel-drive is not required to travel along the dirt road to the Jetty. Attendees should bring their own sack lunches and other supplies.
“The Spiral Jetty can seem strange and difficult to get to, so the meet-up is designed to make it much more accessible, physically and conceptually,” said Tassie.
The hosts are expecting a diverse crowd of attendees as Spiral Jetty has something to offer everyone.
At the event, Kelly Kivland and Whitney Tassie will be giving short talks on the significance of Spiral Jetty from an art history perspective. Kivland is the associate curator at Dia Art Foundation, the New York-based institution in charge of the Jetty.
Accompanied by educators and experts from the UMFA and the Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster College, attendees will have the opportunity to “explore the art and science of the artwork and the lake with hands-on art-making activities and demonstrations,” said Mindy Wilson, director of marketing and public relations at the UMFA.
In addition to the art talks, chamber music for voice and guitar will be performed at the site by graduate students at the School of Music at the U.
Spiral Jetty stands as a perfect example of conceptual art. “The journey to the earthwork and the landscape surrounding it are all part of” the experience, said Tassie of the Jetty trip.
The trip aims “to satisfy some curiosity” about the iconic Jetty structure “with art history, science and first-person experience,” said Tassie.
The meet-up will be held at Spiral Jetty on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1-4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For driving directions to the Jetty and more information about the event, visit umfa.utah.edu/artlandish.