Fantastic video, Mr. West! I was curious about Heizer, but now I'm going to explore all your other videos. Thanks for a thorough and approachable dive into this topic
Visited Double Negative couple of years ago, and the drive there was an adventure in itself. That broken line has become geology of the land, and climbing down into it, going through layers of rocks is thrilling for experiencing art and for a geologist. Same trip also took me to James Turrell's Roden Crater, Nancy Holt's Sun Tunnel, and Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty. Great road trip the require a sense of direction, and would recommend a vehicle with good tires and suspension. Very different experience than driving to the museum or gallery in town.
Thank you for covering this topic. I appreciate your succinct description of Heizer's emergence onto the art scene. I am currently researching "City" for my thesis in furniture design and I found your video to be very helpful.
I would categorize "City" as "liminal artwork." Much like liminal spaces, it has to capture that eerie, uncanny feeling, and needs to be large enough for one to be physically lost in. It's superb.
@@christopherwestpresents That make sense! It's a shame that he don't allow people to take photos-part of it feels like gatekeeping, in the sense of "one must experience this as only I, the artist intended", which, I can sympathize with that desire, but like.... ....he allows people to sketch, draw, and paint what they see. Buy why not photography? I'm not talking about selfies or the usual superficial "I was here" stuff, but actual, artistic photographs. .... I'm _very_ opinionated about art and its relationship to class and status, and I need to cut myself short before I write an essay or something. 😂
Very insightful. The first time I saw "City" was flying over (sort of) on Google Earth and I was blown away (was sure it was of E.T. origin for several days until research informed otherwise). This was 10 years or so ago, and I am relieved that documentaries like this exist. Heizer's history is fascinating, and his "City" is truly unique and brilliant. Thank you for this video.
Interesting. I found your video after reading a piece in The New Yorker (Nov. 23, 2023) comparing this art and The Sphere in Las Vegas. Is there a comparison?
Hi, I just wanted to say that I'm enjoying watching your videos but if I might make a suggestion; I'd enjoy them even more if you were a little bolder in discussing the various ways in which the works you showcase might be critiqued. This Artist is a good case in point, there is something magnificent about the large scale works, but also much that's appalling, the smaller works are less objectionable but they're also rather corporate. Arguably this is all just the wonder of digging - take away the blockbuster budgets and does he have anything much to say? Is there a deep relationship between those paintings and the larger works or are they just the sellable bit? There's plenty to engage with and personally I'd like to see you do it. Just my two penneth.
@@christopherwestpresents The Triple Aught Foundation will open [visitor] requests for the 2024 season via an online form, available January 2, 2024 at 12:01pm ET. Good luck!!! 😀 I hope you're able to get a ticket.
I just got to know this artist and it felt incredibly exciting. I am a master's student in the painting department and we have things in common with this artist. I want to contact you and talk about art. Thank you
Double Negative is one of my favorite art works. I just saw a photo in a museums catalog and I thought that was the coolest idea ever. It took my another 25 years or so to finally see it in person.
it is very hard to make a reservation to visit the City. I have tried in 2023 but didn't get it. I missed the application period in 2024. I hope I will have a chance in 2025.
I’ve got a small channel - but it’s still my 4th most popular video with over 5000 views. So even though that’s a tiny number by TH-cam standards, I might disagree!
@@christopherwestpresents wouldn't say so. If Heizer intended City to be experienced only by actual visiting, then taking photos of it kinda deviates from his original idea. How much more powerful would it be if there would be no photos of it, only first-hand descriptions...
. Perhaps Mr. Heizer could be a little more inclusive. I am not sure if this something I will ever see in my lifetime. and I dare say, I would, I think really appreciate. Oh well the Great Basin is one giant gallery of vacuous space for me to fill with my thoughts and anxiety and i only need a couple tanks of gas to see it.
There's a lot of psychological and economic baggage baked into "City" which in the end drains away its effectiveness and value as art. It reeks of entitlement, elitism, and the potential wastefulness of American-style capitalism. The only way it can remain intact is by imposing a paramilitary presence bent on keeping the curious away with the threat of police action and bodily injury. In this way it contradicts the spirit of most successful art: that of invitation and access by the community. Clearly this meta-narrative must have been considered-and embraced-by Heizer. The site is designed to exclude people, which, given the fact that it lies within a profoundly communal presence (wild desert), smacks of pretension and exhibits a profound misunderstanding about the artist's role in society. The whole thing is confused, hostile, and ultimately a windmill tilt by a madman who has managed to con a lot of money out of people engorged by capitalistic excess.
@@christopherwestpresents Well as all know artists' true intentions are often orthogonal to the art's impact and meaning. As an interesting side note, Dwan's money was inherited from the 3M corp ... who themselves were responsible for widespread environmental destruction and blatant disregard for human safety. This whole thing just feels creepy.
This is like people who gloat over giant wind & solar projects defiling the desert, and don't blink when they tell you it's "green" progress. The land has been developed far too much already for human wants. Leave it alone.
Something doesnt add up. Call me a crackpot but what the heck is going on here? Only 6 people a day? How is that profitable considering the 50 year investment. Whats the cost per person? And than the Obama White House declared 700,000 acres around this place a nationaly protected land? Just doesnt add up. Not that i have a fun conspiracy for ya. But theres definitely something else about this land.
I don’t think making money was ever the intention. And Obama was around 10 when Heizer started this project - so that would be one heck of a conspiracy.
@@christopherwestpresents sorry, you misunderstood. Obama did this in 2015. It was not when he was 10, but when he was president. He made it nationally protected land. Can't link here but there's in LA times article on it. Art isn't about profit? What about people seeing the art? Is that also not important? You spend untold amounts of money and 50 years of your life, and then only charge 6 people a day to see it? Even if he's got the finest partons, don't you want more than 6 people to see it? Fishy.
@@christopherwestpresents but Obama did make it national land in 2015! Ha. Not at 10yo but as president. And even if it's not about money, what about exposure? 6 people a day?? Smells fishy.
Fantastic video, Mr. West! I was curious about Heizer, but now I'm going to explore all your other videos. Thanks for a thorough and approachable dive into this topic
Thank you! I really appreciate the comment. I’m still fairly new at this, but hopefully improving little by little.
Visited Double Negative couple of years ago, and the drive there was an adventure in itself. That broken line has become geology of the land, and climbing down into it, going through layers of rocks is thrilling for experiencing art and for a geologist.
Same trip also took me to James Turrell's Roden Crater, Nancy Holt's Sun Tunnel, and Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty. Great road trip the require a sense of direction, and would recommend a vehicle with good tires and suspension. Very different experience than driving to the museum or gallery in town.
This trip sounds like a dream to me!
great video dude. good job at giving context, a bit of history, and clearly laying it all out. cheers
I really appreciate it. Thanks so much!
Thank you for covering this topic. I appreciate your succinct description of Heizer's emergence onto the art scene. I am currently researching "City" for my thesis in furniture design and I found your video to be very helpful.
I really appreciate that. Thank you for commenting. And watching!
Gotta admit, my first thought when this video started was... "Man... The stress really has gotten to James Somerton since that hbomberguy video huh?"
Forgive me! That was only my 5th or 6th video ever. I hope the production values have improved!
I would categorize "City" as "liminal artwork."
Much like liminal spaces, it has to capture that eerie, uncanny feeling, and needs to be large enough for one to be physically lost in.
It's superb.
Very well said. And the reason I think they limit the number of visitors to just a few per day.
@@christopherwestpresents That make sense!
It's a shame that he don't allow people to take photos-part of it feels like gatekeeping, in the sense of "one must experience this as only I, the artist intended", which, I can sympathize with that desire, but like....
....he allows people to sketch, draw, and paint what they see. Buy why not photography? I'm not talking about selfies or the usual superficial "I was here" stuff, but actual, artistic photographs.
.... I'm _very_ opinionated about art and its relationship to class and status, and I need to cut myself short before I write an essay or something. 😂
applied for tickets for City a few months back. Fingers crossed.
Oh man. I hope you get them! So jealous.
How'd you make out? Hope to go after Burning Man next year
Very insightful. The first time I saw "City" was flying over (sort of) on Google Earth and I was blown away (was sure it was of E.T. origin for several days until research informed otherwise). This was 10 years or so ago, and I am relieved that documentaries like this exist. Heizer's history is fascinating, and his "City" is truly unique and brilliant. Thank you for this video.
Thank you for the comment! So cool you randomly found it on Google Earth!
Controversial or not, it has an unique beauty to it.
I’m really hoping to see it one day!
Interesting. I found your video after reading a piece in The New Yorker (Nov. 23, 2023) comparing this art and The Sphere in Las Vegas. Is there a comparison?
I wouldn’t have thought so! Maybe if comparing two opposites.
Hi, I just wanted to say that I'm enjoying watching your videos but if I might make a suggestion; I'd enjoy them even more if you were a little bolder in discussing the various ways in which the works you showcase might be critiqued. This Artist is a good case in point, there is something magnificent about the large scale works, but also much that's appalling, the smaller works are less objectionable but they're also rather corporate. Arguably this is all just the wonder of digging - take away the blockbuster budgets and does he have anything much to say? Is there a deep relationship between those paintings and the larger works or are they just the sellable bit? There's plenty to engage with and personally I'd like to see you do it. Just my two penneth.
I really appreciate the feedback. Much deeper dives could certainly be taken and I will definitely keep that in mind.
As a civil engineer, I'm fascinated by earth art!
I hope to visit ‘The City’ soon!
@@christopherwestpresents The Triple Aught Foundation will open [visitor] requests for the 2024 season via an online form, available January 2, 2024 at 12:01pm ET.
Good luck!!! 😀 I hope you're able to get a ticket.
I just got to know this artist and it felt incredibly exciting. I am a master's student in the painting department and we have things in common with this artist. I want to contact you and talk about art. Thank you
It’s the set for Dune
Indeed!
No thoughts on Heizer - first time I have heard of him. Thanks to you ☺
I appreciate it!
Double Negative is one of my favorite art works. I just saw a photo in a museums catalog and I thought that was the coolest idea ever. It took my another 25 years or so to finally see it in person.
I hope to see it one day!
God can you imagine getting lost in the Nevada desert and seeing City?
It’s kind of a dream of mine!
it is very hard to make a reservation to visit the City. I have tried in 2023 but didn't get it. I missed the application period in 2024. I hope I will have a chance in 2025.
I’ve tried and failed too! Hopefully we’ll have different luck soon!
If there are any fans of Michael Heizer, I'm confident they are not on TH-cam.
I’ve got a small channel - but it’s still my 4th most popular video with over 5000 views. So even though that’s a tiny number by TH-cam standards, I might disagree!
amazing
Agreed!
u also cant take any pohots while there
That’s unfortunate.
@@christopherwestpresents wouldn't say so. If Heizer intended City to be experienced only by actual visiting, then taking photos of it kinda deviates from his original idea.
How much more powerful would it be if there would be no photos of it, only first-hand descriptions...
@christopherwestpresents what do you think about it?
You say Nevada wrong... 😢
My apologies.
Huh. Neat.
Thanks for watching!
. Perhaps Mr. Heizer could be a little more inclusive. I am not sure if this something I will ever see in my lifetime. and I dare say, I would, I think really appreciate. Oh well the Great Basin is one giant gallery of vacuous space for me to fill with my thoughts and anxiety and i only need a couple tanks of gas to see it.
It would be nice if it were more accessible.
There's a lot of psychological and economic baggage baked into "City" which in the end drains away its effectiveness and value as art. It reeks of entitlement, elitism, and the potential wastefulness of American-style capitalism.
The only way it can remain intact is by imposing a paramilitary presence bent on keeping the curious away with the threat of police action and bodily injury. In this way it contradicts the spirit of most successful art: that of invitation and access by the community. Clearly this meta-narrative must have been considered-and embraced-by Heizer. The site is designed to exclude people, which, given the fact that it lies within a profoundly communal presence (wild desert), smacks of pretension and exhibits a profound misunderstanding about the artist's role in society.
The whole thing is confused, hostile, and ultimately a windmill tilt by a madman who has managed to con a lot of money out of people engorged by capitalistic excess.
I think that’s a fair contemporary view. I can’t believe that was Heizer’s intention when he started.
@@christopherwestpresents Well as all know artists' true intentions are often orthogonal to the art's impact and meaning. As an interesting side note, Dwan's money was inherited from the 3M corp ... who themselves were responsible for widespread environmental destruction and blatant disregard for human safety. This whole thing just feels creepy.
@@christopherwestpresents btw - this video spurred on my comment about exclusion. Barbed wire is no joke: th-cam.com/video/z8NeLk8szcs/w-d-xo.html
Funny, haven't heard you dump on the pyramids. Their construction and use should have raised your hackles long ago.
Bothers me how many Americans can't say Nevada correctly. It's a useful shibboleth to see who's from the east coast.
Ha. Fair enough!
This is like people who gloat over giant wind & solar projects defiling the desert, and don't blink when they tell you it's "green" progress. The land has been developed far too much already for human wants. Leave it alone.
The land will reclaim it one day.
Something doesnt add up. Call me a crackpot but what the heck is going on here? Only 6 people a day? How is that profitable considering the 50 year investment. Whats the cost per person?
And than the Obama White House declared 700,000 acres around this place a nationaly protected land?
Just doesnt add up. Not that i have a fun conspiracy for ya. But theres definitely something else about this land.
I don’t think making money was ever the intention. And Obama was around 10 when Heizer started this project - so that would be one heck of a conspiracy.
@@christopherwestpresents sorry, you misunderstood. Obama did this in 2015. It was not when he was 10, but when he was president. He made it nationally protected land. Can't link here but there's in LA times article on it.
Art isn't about profit? What about people seeing the art? Is that also not important? You spend untold amounts of money and 50 years of your life, and then only charge 6 people a day to see it? Even if he's got the finest partons, don't you want more than 6 people to see it? Fishy.
@@christopherwestpresents but Obama did make it national land in 2015! Ha. Not at 10yo but as president. And even if it's not about money, what about exposure? 6 people a day?? Smells fishy.
It's about burning money for its own sake. It's a drain on society... and gives little to nothing back. It's grotesque.
Maybe the site isn't about profit. Maybe the best way to experience the site is from the air. No, I take that back. A combination of air and walking.