The work was constructed twice; the first time requiring six days . After contemplating the result for two days, Smithson called the crew back and had the shape altered to its present configuration, an effort requiring moving 7,000 tons of basalt rock during an additional three days.
How was the Spiral Jetty made?
Made of black basalt rocks and earth gathered from the site , Spiral Jetty is a 15-foot-wide coil that stretches more than 1,500 feet into the lake. ... Using natural materials from the site, Smithson designed Spiral Jetty to extend into the lake several inches above the waterline.
How long was the Spiral Jetty under water?
Spiral Jetty is only visible when the water level is below about 4195 feet. It was submerged soon after its creation and stayed underwater for 30 years . Due to drought, it has been dry since 2002. Until the Great Salt Lake rises significantly, the jetty will probably be visible for years to come.
Does Spiral Jetty still exist?
Eleven stories high and a tenth of a mile in width, the construction of this massive structure is still ongoing , and Ross expects to finish it in 2022, when the public can walk through its chambers to experience how the stars change over time.
What was Spiral Jetty inspired by?
The site of Spiral Jetty was chosen by the artist for the lake’s unusual ecological and geological properties . The reddish coloration of the water, caused by the high presence of microbes, initially attracted Smithson to the north arm of the lake.
Can you walk on Spiral Jetty?
Spiral Jetty is remote, but still attracts thousands of visitors each year. Visitors are welcome to walk on the jetty and in the lake . Water levels, seasons, human interaction and time have changed this work of art, and will continue to do so.
Why is the Spiral Jetty a spiral?
Smithson wanted to reconnect with the environment – hence works like Spiral Jetty, which also reflected his interest in science and geology. To create the 457 metre long spiral, Smithson bulldozed material from the shore into the lake. ... The jetty resembles a galaxy in its shape.
Is Spiral Jetty always pink?
( It’s not always this vibrant pink but should have some pink hues. The storm rolling in helped make the water look brighter.) -If you need to go to the restroom before or after your visit to the Spiral Jetty, make sure to go at the Golden Spike National Historic Site Visitors Center.
What does the Spiral Jetty symbolize?
Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty in 1970 put the modern Earth-art movement in high relief. ... Like much Earth art, Spiral Jetty is a tribute to the daring and imagination of the artist who goes from concept to actual product —the fact that it is done at all is often what constitutes its significance.
What artist creates their work from nature?
Andy Goldsworthy
Is the Great Salt Lake still pink?
The pink color, easiest to see in the shallow waters closest to the shore, is not a new feature or a result of recent record-low levels. ... One is bacteria, the other is algae, and they both just happen to be pigmented pink,” said Dave Shearer, Manager of the Great Salt Lake State Park.
Is the Great Salt Lake always pink?
The pink color, easiest to see in the shallow waters closest to the shore, is not a new feature or a result of recent record-low levels. ... One is bacteria, the other is algae, and they both just happen to be pigmented pink,” said Dave Shearer, Manager of the Great Salt Lake State Park.
Why does the Great Salt Lake turn pink?
The Great Salt Lake is pink thanks to salt-loving organisms that can develop in the salty water of the lake . One of those organisms is a carotenoid cell, which we can also find in carrots, and which turns the water pink.
