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Robert Smithson Analysis

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Prominent for their work in the 1970s’ Andrew Goldsmith and Robert Smithson when they presented their unique brands of art styles to the public. Considered Postmodern artists due to their unconventional working methods and uses of non-traditional materials. Both artists use nature and natural elements as media in their work as well as often presenting their art in unconventional places.

Protests on the treatment and preservation of the environment were prominent in the 1970s’, reflecting in the art of the generation. Focusing mostly on environmental deterioration and the human role in that destruction. The two artist express their art from two different sides, Goldsworthy focusing on the small areas of nature while Smithson presents his art in large monumental areas. Both artists are considered ‘land artists’ who use non-traditional materials to create …show more content…

Although his works causes his audience to focus on the landscape surrounding his artwork, Robert Smithson preferred to use the history of the site as a background in his art. Believing that placing the art in a particular site of historical significance, the viewer would be drawn to the environmental conditions of the land, whether it be affected by development, pollution or neglect. He attempts to create structure that are similar to the ancient man-made structures related to religion, art and literature of the area. He also attempts to focus on how his materials are amiss in the landscape. His work ‘Map of Broken Glass’, featuring broken glass shards from a demolished building site in a pile in the middle of a

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