Five New (to me) Earthworks & Part II to an Old Favorite

From Ends of the Earth: Art of the Land to 1974 (in conjunction with the traveling exhibition at MOCA and Haus der Kunst, Munich 2012-2013)

Robert Kinmont, 8 Natural Handstands, 1969/2009

Each handstand is a sculptural act emulating an upside-down view of Atlas holding up the world. See the rest here.

Avital Geva, Covering of Sidewalks and Roads with Silage, 1971

Milenko Natanovic (Oho Group), Wheat and Rope, 1969

Richard Long, A Line the Same Length as a Straight Walk from the Bottom to the Top of Silbury Hill, 1970/2012

Here is an excellent link showing it's recreation last year.

Cildo Meireles, Physical Art Cords / 30 KM Extended Line, 1969 (image via)

John Baldessari, California Map Project Part II: State Capital, 1969

Baldessari inserted a red star indicating "capital" on a map in front of the physical capitol building in Sacramento.

Favorite Artworks: Vito Acconci's "Estimation" 1970

Vito Acconci, Estimation, 1970
Choose a distant point: photograph it: estimate steps required to reach it.


I saw this piece at an exhibition of photographs from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in 2002. At first I laughed but I was instantly reminded that I do similar activities (but neglect to make art about them). In any case, this photographic grid serves as a marker for not overlooking the mundane (art about walking); not being afraid to show obsessive counting tendencies (and providing visual proof); and owning up to the fact that text will always play an important role in my art (though Acconci's writing is far neater).

I often wondered if the actual steps meant touching the tree. I like to imagine Acconci interacting with it - like shaking hands with a stranger. It's good to set rules for oneself in making a work of art, however, it's equally important to break them. Acconci's grid makes me want to step outside and break some rules, however, I better wait until the wind chill factor is above -10º F.

Robert Adams, "Summer Nights, Walking: On the Colorado Front"

The Denver Art Museum is the first venue of Robert Adams: The Place We Live, A Retrospective Selection of Photographs. In this first post about Robert Adams (thinking about home and place), I was partially inspired by Laura's post on night bicycle riding.

All images are from Robert Adams, Summer Nights, Walking: On the Colorado Front, 1976-82.

Richard Long, "Walks of Chance," 1998