Spiral Jetty v. Oil Drilling

Oil Drilling Application #8853

"Spiral Jetty", the earthwork installation sculpture at the Great Salt Lake created by Robert Smithson, is an extraordinarily important milestone in the history of American art. Built forty years ago, it continues to be recognized as an especially significant and seminal work from which a distinctive American genre has evolved. There is hardly a college course given in contemporary art history that does not consider this phenomenal, unique work of art. Every artist, curator, art historian, art student- everyone with a serous grasp of American art is familiar with this iconic image. It is universally respected and admired.

It is not just the piece by itself that is important. It is the considered, precise relationship with the surrounding lake and desert that makes it special. It was designed and placed with that relationship in mind - for that particular circumstance. That is why it must not be disturbed by oil drilling or other development in its proximity.