Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

a puddle in the city of Miami

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles [detail] (1969)
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
Edition of 3 + 1AP

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles (1969)
Installation view: Nancy Holt / Inside Outside, Bildmuseet, Umeå, Sweden, 2022
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies 18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
18 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (46 x 46 cm) each framed
Edition of 3 + 1AP
Photograph: Mikael Lundgren
Image Courtesy Holt/Smithson Foundation and Bildmuseet

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

framed photographs of Miami Puddles installed at Bildmuseet in Sweden

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles (1969)
Installation view: Nancy Holt / Inside Outside, Bildmuseet, Umeå, Sweden, 2022
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies 18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
18 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (46 x 46 cm) each framed
Edition of 3 + 1AP
Photograph: Mikael Lundgren
Image Courtesy Holt/Smithson Foundation and Bildmuseet

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles (1969)
Installation view: Nancy Holt: Circles of Light, Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2024
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies 18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
18 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (46 x 46 cm) each framed
Edition of 3 + 1AP
Photograph: Luca Girardini
Image Courtesy Gropius Bau and Holt/Smithson Foundation

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

installation view of photographs of Miami Puddles

Nancy Holt, Miami Puddles (1969)
Installation view: Nancy Holt: Circles of Light, Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany, 2024
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies 18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
18 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (46 x 46 cm) each framed
Edition of 3 + 1AP
Photograph: Luca Girardini
Image Courtesy Gropius Bau and Holt/Smithson Foundation

© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

1966—1969

Miami Puddles

Nancy Holt
1969
Miami, Florida
Twenty-two inkjet prints on archival rag paper from original 126 format transparencies
18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm) each
© Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed by Artists Rights Society, New York

While on a short visit to Miami in 1969 Nancy Holt took the photo series Miami Puddles, a visual poem created through serial images shot on a walking journey through Miami. As in other photographic series from this time period, Holt uses a self-determined system of seeing to guide her image making, in this case mapping the city of Miami solely through photographing puddles that have formed after a rainstorm. Miami Puddles foreshadows Holt’s later sculptures that use reflecting pools of water—such as Hydra's Head (1974) and Up and Under (1987-98)—and her consideration for the aesthetics and technology of water drainage in the System Works of the 1980s and '90s.

Related Info

1981—1983
a structure built of galvanized steel pipes built in a grassy field
Sole Source
Nancy Holt
1983
1981—1983

Nancy Holt's "Sole Source" was first presented on the occasion of the Independent Artists' Seminar in Dublin, during September 1983, and to date it has not been posthumously presented.  In this System Work, gravity is the power source, with water from an elevated reservoir flowing down through the structure of pipes into a pre-existing ditch.

1981—1983
a drainage sculpture in a park
Catch Basin
Nancy Holt
1982
1981—1983

In 1982, Nancy Holt created Catch Basin for St. James Park in Toronto as part of the Citysite Sculpture Project, a short-lived initiative by Visual Arts Ontario dedicated to introducing the city’s residents to new concepts in contemporary art. Developing from her System Works, Holt described the sculpture as “a land drainage system, evolved out of my recent concern with exposing and utilizing functional systems, which are usually hidden beneath the surfaces of our existence.

See Also