Broken Circle / Spiral Hill, Land art in Emmerschans, Netherlands
Broken Circle / Spiral Hill is a permanent artwork made from earth, sand and water near Emmen. The first part consists of a semicircular jetty and canal cutting into the shallow shore of a former quarry lake, while the second part forms a low hill with a spiral path.
Robert Smithson designed this installation in 1971 for an exhibition of contemporary sculpture in the Netherlands, turning a disused sand quarry into a walkable site. After his death that same year, the work was completed by his widow Nancy Holt and has remained freely accessible since.
The American artist deliberately selected a quarry lake on the edge of Emmen to make the contrast between natural materials and altered landscape visible. Today visitors can walk along the winding path on the hill and observe how water and earth continue to change over the years.
The works lie a few kilometers outside central Emmen in open countryside and can be visited at any time. Access is via unpaved paths, so sturdy footwear is recommended, especially after rain when the ground becomes softer.
The lake water shows a greenish tint due to its mineral content, creating a clear contrast with the pale sand. Depending on light and season, shifting color patterns emerge that Smithson deliberately incorporated into his concept.
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