The first edition of Robert Smithson’s writings was published in 1979, by New York University Press, five years after the artist’s untimely death. It was edited by Nancy Holt, designed by Sol LeWitt, with an introduction written by Philip Leider. Fully illustrated, forty-nine essays, interviews, and statements are included in this rare, collectible hardback copy of the book.
When reviewed that year in Artforum magazine, Kate Linker announced “Artists-as-artists, Ad Reinhardt wrote, say the same thing—repetitive nothing is the subject of their work—but Robert Smithson, the guardian of impurity, had a very great deal to express. Those party to his late-night ramblings at Max’s could have these dictates readily. […] Smithson’s opinions were broadcast regularly in the pages of magazines, generally Artforum (through the encouragement of Philip Leider), but also Arts, Art News and others. From 1966 to 1973 perhaps two dozen pieces appeared—substantial for any critic, let alone an artist. Some, like ‘The Monuments of Passaic’ (1967), ‘A Sedimentation of the Mind: Earth Projects’ (1968), ‘Frederick Law Olmstead and the Dialectical Landscape’ (1973) became minor monuments, key documents for all concerned with this transitional period in American art.”
Editor
Nancy Holt
Designer
Sol LeWitt
Specifications
New York University Press, 1979
ISBN 0814733956
Hardback
Black-and-white
221 pages
11 1/32 x 8 15/32 in. (28 x 21.5 cm)
English
Out of Print
The first edition of Robert Smithson’s writings was published in 1979, by New York University Press, five years after the artist’s untimely death. It was edited by Nancy Holt, designed by Sol LeWitt, with an introduction written by Philip Leider. Fully illustrated, forty-nine essays, interviews, and statements are included in this rare, collectible hardback copy of the book.
When reviewed that year in Artforum magazine, Kate Linker announced “Artists-as-artists, Ad Reinhardt wrote, say the same thing—repetitive nothing is the subject of their work—but Robert Smithson, the guardian of impurity, had a very great deal to express. Those party to his late-night ramblings at Max’s could have these dictates readily. […] Smithson’s opinions were broadcast regularly in the pages of magazines, generally Artforum (through the encouragement of Philip Leider), but also Arts, Art News and others. From 1966 to 1973 perhaps two dozen pieces appeared—substantial for any critic, let alone an artist. Some, like ‘The Monuments of Passaic’ (1967), ‘A Sedimentation of the Mind: Earth Projects’ (1968), ‘Frederick Law Olmstead and the Dialectical Landscape’ (1973) became minor monuments, key documents for all concerned with this transitional period in American art.”
Editor
Nancy Holt
Designer
Sol LeWitt
Specifications
New York University Press, 1979
ISBN 0814733956
Hardback
Black-and-white
221 pages
11 1/32 x 8 15/32 in. (28 x 21.5 cm)
English
Out of Print
