Broken Circle / Spiral Hill, Land art in Emmerschans, Netherlands
The Broken Circle consists of a jetty and canal on a quarry lake bank, while Spiral Hill features an ascending path made of earth and sand.
Robert Smithson created this permanent land art installation in 1971 for the Sonsbeek outdoor sculpture exhibition, transforming an industrial sand quarry into public art.
The artwork demonstrates the relationship between industrial landscapes and artistic expression through its integration of water features and earthen materials.
The circular structure measures 140 feet in diameter with a 12-foot-wide canal, while the adjacent Spiral Hill spans 75 feet at its foundation.
The green mineral-rich water of the quarry lake interacts with the white and yellow sand formations, creating distinct color patterns throughout the seasons.
Location: Emmen
Inception: 1971
Creator: Robert Smithson
Made from material: sand, soil, vegetation, water
Part of: Sleutelwerken
Website: https://brokencircle.nl
GPS coordinates: 52.80937,6.92867
Latest update: May 12, 2025 11:16
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