On eye level, the tail leads one into an undifferentiated state of matter. Size determines an object, but scale determines art … to be in the scale of the Spiral Jetty is to be out of it. Smithson wrote: ‘The scale of Spiral Jetty tends to fluctuate depending on where the viewer happens to be. The coil is de-differentiated into a mass of black basalt rocks, a jagged scape of lithic irregularities puncturing the landscape. At the centre of the spiral, form disintegrates. The structure is a giant crystal-growing apparatus. Salt crystals crunch underfoot, flaking away from the rocks and massing in fragile sheets across the surface of the sand. Out near the horizon, the waters of the lake are pinkish red. ![]() For much of its lifespan Smithson’s Jetty has been submerged under water, but since the drought it’s been possible to walk out along its length, or run (carefully, trying not to break an ankle) if you feel the need to replicate Smithson’s famous run to the empty centre in his film of the work (I did both). Not built by Smithson, this was put up by the Griffin Southern Eagle Scout Project in 2014 and feels redundant: if you’ve got this far, the plaque isn’t going to tell you anything you didn’t already know. The road curves north around the Lake to Rozel Point, ending at a parking cul-de-sac.įrom here, it’s a very short walk down to the Jetty, or up to this pedestal (above) half way up the hill. Continue driving for approximately 9 miles.At the next fork, take the road to the right. At the fork, turn left (there’s a sign that says ‘Spiral Jetty 10 Miles’, which is very exciting) and drive for another 1.4 miles. From the Visitor Centre, take the gravel road for 5.6 miles.Call your mum if you need to, because after this, phone reception gets patchy. From there, follow the signs to the Golden Spike Visitor Centre. ![]() From Corinne drive west for 18 miles on UT Route 13 (which becomes Highway 83) and continue until you reach the Golden Spike Road. There’s a gas station at Corinne, which is good for snacks, water, fuel. It’s about 65 miles north of Salt Lake City. TBH though you probably don’t need a 4WD, only the last bit is on gravel and the roads are pretty good these days. Handy for jetlagged Australians trying to negotiate four-lane traffic while driving on the wrong side of the road. We were off to a good start when the budget rental we’d booked was upgraded to a shiny 4WD Merc, which pretty much drove itself. ![]() There are no bathrooms, food, freshwater or fuel at the site (full directions at Dia Art Foundation). Guests are advised to bring boots, food, and water along with weather-appropriate clothing. Constructed from over six thousand tons of black basalt rocks and earth from the site, the coil of the Jetty is 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide, winding counter clockwise out from the shore. Robert Smithson’s earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) is located at Rozel Point peninsula on the north-eastern side of Great Salt Lake, Utah, around 2.5 hours drive from Salt Lake City.
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