Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

©Holt/Smithson Foundation, Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

A series of small circular pools in the position of the constellation Hydra along a river bank. River and woods beyond in the background.

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

©Holt/Smithson Foundation, Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

©Holt/Smithson Foundation, Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

A circular pool of water reflecting a blue sky.

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

©Holt/Smithson Foundation, Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head [construction image] (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

©Holt/Smithson Foundation, Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

Two large concrete tubes in a field and a third on a front loader machine with three figures around it.

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head [construction image] (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

©Holt/Smithson Foundation, Licensed by VAGA at ARS, New York

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head [construction image] (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

A construction site with a large yellow bulldozer next to a river.

Nancy Holt, Hydra’s Head [construction image] (1974)

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m)

Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m)

Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

Earthwork & Sculpture

Hydra's Head

Nancy Holt

1974

Along the Niagara River, Artpark, Lewiston, New York, USA

Concrete, earth, water

Overall Dimensions: 28 x 62 ft. (8.5 x 18.9 m); Pool Diameters: two 4 ft. (1.2 m), three 3 ft. (.9 m) , one 2 ft. (.6 m); Pool Depth: 3 ft. (.9 m)

On a bank of the Niagara River, six pools of water, encircled by concrete, are arranged in the pattern of the constellation Hydra. Their mirror-like quality reflects the sky, the light, the colors of the world above while below, the river rages endlessly onwards. Hydra is the name of a mythical sea monster; the soul and substance of this work is water. Holt was entranced by the Seneca Nation proverb: “Pools of water are the eyes of the earth.” The pools of Hydra’s Head bear witness to the site’s magnificence—from the stars in the night sky to the ripple of a water beetle.

Hydra's Head

See Also