The Spiral Jetty

When I was a senior, I took an art history class. I remember there were two pieces of art that I remember seeing in the book and knowing I had to see them in front of me. The first is Winged Victory; she is in the Louvre. I saw her the summer of 2007.

The other was the Spiral Jetty. Funny thing is that I made it to Paris before making it to the Jetty, which is right here in Utah.

But on Saturday, Natalie and I went to the Spiral Jetty--it was amazing.

Here is some background: Robert Smithson's monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) is located on the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Using black basalt rocks and earth from the site, the artist created a coil 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide that stretches out counter-clockwise into the translucent red water. You can learn more here and here.

It was under water for 20 years, but the lake has been low for quite a while now.

Be sure to take water and a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It is definitely worth the trip. It took about 2 hours from Centerville. We spent about an hour out there, and then 2 hours back.

Here is the view on the way out.

There is a jetty just before you get to the Spiral Jetty. It's left over from oil drilling.

Then we could see the Jetty.

It only got better as we got closer.

Here it is up close.

And then on the Jetty.

To the side of the Jetty.

Another shot of the Jetty.

Then we climbed the hill and got these shots.

And, the final shot.