Gianfranco Gorgoni, Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty, 1970. Gelatin silver print, image: 6.375 x 9.75 inches, 16.2 x 24.8 cm; sheet: 7.875 x 10.125 inches, 20 x 25.7 cm. Stamped.

Print used for reproduction purposes and shows signs of handlng. Diagonal crease along right side of image and margin visible in raking light or close scrutiny; light patina of dings, impressions, indentations only visible in raking light.

Born in Italy, Gorgoni seeks to capture the small concerns of everyday life and the joys and sorrows of ordinary people. As a reporter, Gorgoni has been to many parts of the world where current events have unfolded before his eyes. He spent a night in a cell in Iran where he observed police brutality, witnessed the surprise visit by President Sadat of Egypt to the State of Israel, took the last photograph of the Argentinean warship Belgrano before the English sank it a few days later, and became acquainted with Fidel Castro in his attempt to document the real life of Cubans through photography.

Gorgoni was hired to photograph the construction of the Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson. Smithson made all the plans, hired the crews and supervised its completion and Gianfranco was there every step of the way. Gorgoni’s photograph entitled Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty is one of the most famous of this amazing earthwork.

The monumental earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) is located at Rozel Point on the western side of Promontory Point on the Great Salt Lake in Utah. ...
Spiral Jetty was acquired by Dia Center for the Arts as a gift from the estate of the artist in 1999.