Description
Book Synopsis: An expansive and revelatory study of Robert Smithson’s life and the hidden influences on his iconic creations. This first biography of the major American artist Robert Smithson, famous as the creator of the Spiral Jetty, deepens understanding of his art by addressing the potent forces in his life that were shrouded by his success, including his suppressed early history as a painter; his affiliation with Christianity, astrology, and alchemy; and his sexual fluidity. Integrating extensive investigation and acuity, Suzaan Boettger uncovers Smithson’s story and, with it, symbolic meanings across the span of his painted and drawn images, sculptures, essays, and earthworks up to the Spiral Jetty and beyond, to the circumstances leading to what became his final work, Amarillo Ramp.
While Smithson is widely known for his monumental earthwork at the edge of the Great Salt Lake, Inside the Spiral delves into the arc of his artistic production, recognizing it as a response to his family’s history of loss, which prompted his birth and shaped his strange intelligence. Smithson configured his personal conflicts within painterly depictions of Christ’s passion, the rhetoric of science fiction, imagery from occult systems, and the impersonal posture of conceptual sculpture. Aiming to achieve renown, he veiled his personal passions and transmuted his professional persona, becoming an acclaimed innovator and fierce voice in the New York art scene.
Featuring copious illustrations never before published of early work that eluded Smithson’s destruction, as well as photographs of Smithson and his wife, the noted sculptor Nancy Holt, and recollections from nearly all those who knew him throughout his life, Inside the Spiral offers unprecedented insight into the hidden impulses of one of modern art’s most enigmatic figures. With great sensitivity to the experiences of loss and existential strife that defined his distinct artistic language, this biographical analysis provides an expanded view of Smithson’s iconic art pilgrimage site and the experiences and works that brought him to its peculiar blood red water.
Details
Discover the untold story and hidden influences of the legendary artist Robert Smithson in Inside the Spiral: The Passions of Robert Smithson. This groundbreaking biography takes you on a journey through Smithson's life, revealing the suppressed early history, religious affiliations, and sexual fluidity that shaped his iconic creations. Gain unprecedented insight into his painted and drawn images, sculptures, essays, and earthworks, including the world-famous Spiral Jetty. This riveting study by Suzaan Boettger is a must-read for art enthusiasts and scholars.
Uncover the deeply personal conflicts that Robert Smithson embedded within his art. Inside the Spiral reveals how he conveyed his family's history of loss through symbolic representations of Christ's passion, the rhetoric of science fiction, and imagery from occult systems. By transmuting his personal passions into conceptual sculptures, Smithson not only became an acclaimed innovator but also a trailblazing voice in the New York art scene. Dive into his unique artistic language and explore the enigma behind one of modern art's most captivating figures.
Prepare to be captivated by never-before-published illustrations of Smithson's early work, which miraculously escaped his own destruction. Witness the evolution of his art through the lens of fascinating photographs showcasing Smithson and his wife, Nancy Holt, a renowned sculptor in her own right. Gain invaluable insights from the recollections of those who knew him best throughout his life. Inside the Spiral leaves no stone unturned as it uncovers the hidden impulses that drove Robert Smithson to create his awe-inspiring masterpieces.
Expand your understanding of the Spiral Jetty and its peculiar blood red water. This biographical analysis delves deep into Smithson's experiences of loss and existential strife, shedding light on the artistic pilgrimage that led him to this mesmerizing site. Whether you're an art aficionado or simply curious about the man behind the iconic earthwork, Inside the Spiral offers an unparalleled journey into the mind of Robert Smithson.
Don't miss out on this unprecedented opportunity to explore the life and art of Robert Smithson. Embrace the hidden influences and symbolic meanings of his work, and delve into the personal conflicts that shaped his artistic journey. Click here to order your copy of Inside the Spiral: The Passions of Robert Smithson now.
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