The sun tunnels are definitely turista stuff, and of no social or scientific value. They are not an archeological site, and look like construction debris. I can't understand their attraction for some people. On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 8:28 AM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:

...

Looks like a Tourist Destination.

I agree with you on the tree, Kim. What a piece of litter. I also detest the "Spiral Jetty". I see most attempts at augmenting the natural environment with man-made embellishment as missing a grand point and putting ourselves where we don't belong. Ego trips. "Artists" who go down this route aren't seeing what's there in the first place, as you so eloquently describe in your post. Remember the comment by one of the Apollo astronauts concerning the bleak moonscape he encountered- "magnificent desolation". What an inspired, deeply telling descrption. He was able to appreciated it for what it was, obviously. Most of the works of the Christo team fall into this category, but at least most of their works are temporary by design. I have no problem with temporary environmental "art". Kudos to them for recognizing the greater value of nature unadorned by human thumbprints. Not all art has social value, unless you consider being merely a focal point for discussion as having value. I guess we do have to take the bad with the good, eh? Nature gets the final say, since even man's works of stone and steel will decay, fall down, and eventually be subducted back into the core of the earth. Patience, patience, I tell myself. On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 1:59 PM, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:

As art, it has social value, but I acknowledge that one person's art is another person's visual pollution. The piece of "environmental art" that I love to hate is the Tree of Utah. That unsightly piece of junk clutters one of the most interesting horizons that one can see anywhere in the US without leaving your car. If I remember correctly, the artist justified its existence by saying that the uninterrupted desert horizon was too boring. What a callous and stupid argument. By that reasoning, the night sky is also boring and we should clutter it with more lights. Personally, I think the artist is exceptionally boring and should have the Tree of Utah stuck in his (add preferred body cavity hear).

You know, Erik, I would agree with you if I were 17 years old with my girlfriend and a six-pack of beer. Then the sun tunnels would have a worthwhile purpose...most definitely not astronmical... *;o)* On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 2:55 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:

They where well aligned and we had a fun group so it was worthwhile.