On Feb. 12, 2025, the Province of Drenthe approved the artwork Broken Circle/Spiral Hill by American artist Robert Smithson designated as a provincial monument. This designation marks another step in the development of a sustainable future for this world-renowned work of art in Emmen.
image: Broken Circle/Spiral Hill, 2024 (photo: Picture Crackers, courtesy Land Art Lives)
The Dutch foundation Land Art Contemporary (LAC), together with the Holt/Smithson Foundation from America, and in consultation with the current owners, governments and partners, has been committed for many years to the management and sustainable future of this iconic 1971 landscape artwork. "We are very pleased that the province has taken the initiative to designate the work as a monument. This recognizes the cultural-historical importance of the artwork for Emmen, Drenthe and the Netherlands. The only surviving earthwork of Smithson outside the U.S., is now better protected for the future," said Anne Reenders of Land Art Contemporary.
The only surviving earthwork of Smithson outside the U.S.
Broken Circle/Spiral Hill was realized in 1971 for the outdoor exhibition Sonsbeek Outside the Limits in an active sand excavation owned by the De Boer company near Emmen. This exhibition was revolutionary in art history, attracted international interest and was the starting point for the first land art works in the Netherlands. In 2019, the sand excavation got a new owner and, except in 2021 during the 50th anniversary, the artwork was no longer open to the public.
The artwork consists of two parts. Broken Circle is a headland constructed in the water of the sand excavation with a boulder in the middle dating from the Ice Age. Because of the high
water level, this headland is partially under (ground) water. Spiral Hill is the adjacent conical hill with a spiral path from which the public has a view of the Broken Circle and the green-blue waters of the former sand quarry.
Smithson's work and ideas are still significant for (new) generations of artists and art lovers today
The work and ideas of Smithson (1938-1973) are still significant for (new) generations of artists and art lovers. In his short career, abruptly ended by a plane crash, he played a crucial role in conceptual art, minimal art and land art. Smithson is best known for his iconic work Spiral Jetty (1970) which is situated in the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA. His artworks are in collections worldwide, including at MoMA, Guggenheim and the Whitney Museum in New York.
In coordination with the owners of the sand excavation in which the work is located, the Broken Circle/Spiral Hill to visit during eight weekends. Land Art Contemporary is jointly organizing DIEP - space for visual arts Emmen, excursions by bus to the artwork in the spring, summer and fall of 2025 and in the winter of 2026.
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