“Spiral Jetty,” iconic land artwork created by late American artist and sculptor Robert Smithson, has been added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The news was announced by the Dia Art Foundation, which has owned the piece since 1999.
Smithson created the “Spiral Jetty” in 1970 on shore of the Great Salt Lake in Rozel Point, Utah. Consisting of mud, precipitated salt crystals, and basalt rocks, the earthwork depicts a 1,500-foot-long coil that spirals counterclockwise.
Since its creation, the “Spiral Jetty” became one of the most important land artworks in the world. It explores the relationship of humans with nature and serves as a testament to ever-changing environment. Depending on the water levels of the lake, the piece is sometimes fully or partially visible while other times, it is completely submerged in the water.
The hope is that its entry into the National Register of Historic Places will aid efforts for its preservation while also underlying its cultural importance.
“We are delighted that Spiral Jetty has received this important recognition, which will help us spread awareness of the iconic artwork and advocate for its long-term preservation. In the 54 years that Spiral Jetty has existed, it has been both submerged by the Great Salt Lake and stood far from the lakefront, bearing witness to the changing landscape around it,” Jessica Morgan, Dia’s Nathalie de Gunzburg Director, said in a statement.
