RS
Robert Smithson
64quotes
Robert Smithson: A Pioneer of Land Art
Full Name and Common Aliases
Robert Smithson was born on January 26, 1938, in Passaic, New Jersey. He is commonly known as "The Father of Land Art."
Birth and Death Dates
January 26, 1938 - July 20, 1973
Nationality and Profession(s)
American artist, best known for his large-scale land art installations that explored the relationship between nature, culture, and the human experience.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a middle-class family, Smithson was drawn to art from an early age. He studied at various institutions, including the Art Students League of New York and the Pratt Institute. During this period, he developed an interest in abstract expressionism, but it wasn't until his mid-twenties that he began to focus on land art.
Major Accomplishments
Smithson's breakthrough work was "Spiral Jetty," a massive earthwork constructed from rocks and soil in the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Completed in 1970, this iconic piece marked a turning point in his career and cemented his reputation as a leading figure in land art.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Smithson's most notable works include:
"Non-Site," a series of photographs taken from the air, showcasing sites that were not actually visited by the artist. This work challenged traditional notions of site-specificity and the role of the artist.
"Broken Circle/Spiral Hill," a massive earthwork constructed in the Netherlands, featuring two spiraling hills connected by a trench.
* "Amarillo Ramp," a massive earthwork built in Texas, which was left unfinished at the time of Smithson's death.
Impact and Legacy
Smithson's work had a profound impact on the art world. He expanded the definition of sculpture, moving it from the gallery to the natural landscape. His use of industrial materials and processes also influenced later artists working with land art.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Robert Smithson is widely quoted for his insightful writings on art and nature. His essays, which often explored the relationship between culture and the environment, are considered seminal texts in the field of art criticism. Today, he remains a key figure in modern and contemporary art, inspiring artists, curators, and scholars to continue exploring the boundaries between art, nature, and society.
In conclusion, Robert Smithson's life and work were marked by innovation and a willingness to challenge traditional notions of art. Through his groundbreaking projects and insightful writings, he has left an indelible mark on the art world, ensuring his legacy as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Quotes by Robert Smithson
Robert Smithson's insights on:
"
Some artists imagine they've got a hold on this apparatus, which in fact has got a hold of them. As a result, they end up supporting a cultural prison that is out of their control.
"
History is representational, while time is abstract; both of these artifices may be found in museums, where they span everybody's own vacancy.
"
Language should find itself in the physical world, and not end up locked in an idea in somebody's head.
"
Some artists imagine they’ve got a hold on this apparatus, which in fact has got a hold of them. As a result, they end up supporting a cultural prison that is out of their control.
"
Language should find itself in the physical world, and not end up locked in an idea in somebody’s head.
"
When a finished work of 20th century sculpture is placed in an 18th century garden, it is absorbed by the ideal representation of the past, thus reinforcing political and social values that are no longer with us.
"
A camera is wild in just about anybody’s hands, therefore one must set limits. But cameras have a life of their own. Cameras care nothing about cults or isms. They are indifferent mechanical eyes, ready to devour anything in sight. They are lenses of the unlimited reproduction.
"
History is representational, while time is abstract; both of these artifices may be found in museums, where they span everybody’s own vacancy.
"
Words and rocks contain a language that follows a syntax of splits and ruptures. Look at any word long enough and you will see it open up into a series of faults, into a terrain of particles each containing its own void.
Showing 1 to 10 of 64 results