The Holt/Smithson Foundation exists to continue the creative and investigative spirit of the extraordinary artists Nancy Holt (1938-2014) and Robert Smithson (1938-73). Holt and Smithson developed innovative ways of exploring our relationship with the planet, expanding the limits of artistic practice with their earthworks and explorations in other media.

The Holt/Smithson Foundation website opens with drone videography of iconic works by each artist, launching with — Sun Tunnels and Spiral Jetty in Utah, USA. A satellite Map of the terrain locates other works around the world providing a way to glimpse the works these artists created in their lifetimes and inviting pilgrimages to the sites. A Timeline presents personal and artistic moments in the artists’ lives. The Oral History section houses interviews with their friends and professional colleagues. The site is responsive; optimized for the size of the screen or the type of device that is used for viewing. The Foundation will be inviting proposals for scholarly texts as well as artistic works responding to the earth and potentially related issues around climate change and the environment.

Nancy Holt: “Ultimately it is gratifying – place works in the landscape and then the works become landmarks or sites where people gather at certain times.”

Robert Smithson: “This preoccupation with the outdoors was very stimulating. Most of us used to work in a closed area space. For instance, I did a large spiral, triangular system that sort of spun out and could only be seen from an airplane.”