Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
Photograph: Tom Martinelli, 2009
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt, Dark Star Park [detail] ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
Gunited concrete, stone masonry, asphalt, steel, water, earth, grass, plants, willow oak
Overall surface acrea: Two-thirds of an acre (.27 ha)
Sphere diameters: three 8 ft. (2.4 m) and two 6 ft. 6 1⁄2 in. (1.9 m)
Pool diameters: one 18 ft. (5.4 m) and one 15 ft. (4.6 m)
Pool depth: 1 ft. 6 in. (45.7 cm)
Large tunnel: L. 25 ft. (7.6) x inner Diam. 10 ft. (3 m)
Small tunnel: L. 15 ft. (4.5m) x inner Diam. 3 ft. (.91 m)
Pole heights: two 20 ft. (6.1 m) and two 16 ft. 8 5⁄8 in. (5.1 m)
Pole diameter: 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Sun/shadow alignment: The shadows cast by the spheres and the steel poles line up with the shadow patterns on the ground each year on August 1 at approximately 9:32 a.m., the anniversary of the day in 1860 when William Henry Ross acquired land that later became Rosslyn.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
People enjoying Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
People enjoying Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park ( 1979-1984)
Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
The site in Rosslyn, Virginia before construction of Dark Star Park.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
The site in Rosslyn, Virginia before construction of Dark Star Park.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Informational brochure on Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84)
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Informational brochure on Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84)
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Construction of the gunited concrete spheres in Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84).
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Construction of the gunited concrete spheres in Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84).
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Construction of the gunited concrete spheres in Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84).
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Construction of the gunited concrete spheres in Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84).
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Construction of the concrete walls in Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84).
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Construction of the concrete walls in Nancy Holt's Dark Star Park (1979-84).
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt using a helioscope to model the shadow alignment for Dark Star Park.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt using a helioscope to model the shadow alignment for Dark Star Park.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt using a helioscope to model the shadow alignment for Dark Star Park.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt using a helioscope to model the shadow alignment for Dark Star Park.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt at Dark Star Park shortly after its completion in 1984.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Nancy Holt at Dark Star Park shortly after its completion in 1984.
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York
Holt designed Dark Star Park in concert with the development of the site as a whole, integrating landscaping and sculptural features to encompass the neighboring building and adjacent traffic island. Concrete spheres are interspersed throughout the park, visible through tunnels, reflected in pools of water, and framed in the carved-out hole of another sphere. Every year on Dark Star Park Day people gather to watch the shadow alignment. The shadows cast by the concrete spheres and the steel poles align with asphalt shadow patterns on the ground at 9:32 AM on August 1—the anniversary of the land’s acquisition by William Henry Ross in 1860. Dark Star Park contemplates the physical and ideological structures of land ownership while quoting the cosmos.
Monument wars contesting public space. Controversies arising over renovations of Brutalist landscape design. As the custodian of a world-renowned artist-designed park now in its fourth decade, these recent developments resonate. The idea that public sculpture, parks, and plazas are subject to changing mores as manifestations of our collective identity has never been more evident.1
More than five years ago, in the spring of 1979, I was informed by Thomas Parker, then supervisor of the Arlington County Planning Section, that I had been selected to make a sculpture in a small park being planned in Rosslyn, Virginia.
Soon after, I visited the proposed area—a blighted urban site with the buried remains of a gas station and a warehouse, surrounded by broken asphalt, giant weeds, collapsed fencing, fragments of glass, rusty steel, and decaying wood. Since the site was relatively small, my immediate thought was to use all of it to create a park that would be a work of art in itself. Fortunately, both Arlington County and the National Endowment for the Arts were open to this new approach to making art, and I was designated the park designer as well as the sculptor.
With Dark Star Park I am continuing, among other things, my concerns with the architectural form of the tunnel and its various symbolic ramifications—birth, death, transition, etc., and with illusions of ordinary perception, especially as perception is altered by curvilinear forms.
—Nancy Holt
Holt, Nancy. “Dark Star Park.” In Nancy Holt: Sightlines, edited by Alena J. Williams, University of California Press, 2011, pg 118-119. Originally published in a slightly different form in the brochure Dark Star Park: Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia: Nancy Holt, produced by Arlington County, Virginia, in 1984 on the occasion of the park’s dedication.
