spiral jetty

I think Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty" is a fantastic piece of organic art. It was composed on the outskirts of the  Great Salt Lake in Utah, in waters polluted by abandoned coal mines. Sure, the artwork itself was probably not intensely difficult to construct, but Smithson had a vision behind it. It served the purpose of being "pretty" but, more importantly, it served the purpose of calling attention to the pollution and the beauty that can be uncovered with just a bit of work. Personally, I feel that the most appealing part of this work, is the experience. It is quite a trek to get to the spot, Smithson having chosen a remote place to place his gift to the earth. Once you make the journey, you are free to walk on the Jetty. This, i believe, is where the true art is. The solitude and freedom of just being there, of feeling the wind around you would be the greatest part, in my opinion.

I have read that the view from and around the Jetty is quite bleak. The mountains, colorless, the basalt boulders jet black. Colors, for me, do not always make an object more appealing. Sometimes, the absence of color says more. It speaks the truth, and leaves out the sugar-coating and extra fluff that most things have nowadays. Smithson may not be widely revered for his work of art, but i think that he created something honest, and without apology.