Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

A 1970 work by Robert Smithson. Smithson piled earth atop an old woodshed on the campus of Kent State University until the center beam cracked.

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

Photograph: Nancy Holt, date unknown

a dilapidated woodshed with earth piled on the right wall and roof has been taken over by the surrounding plants

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

Photograph: Nancy Holt, date unknown

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

Photograph: Nancy Holt, date unknown

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

Photograph: Nancy Holt, date unknown

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

Photograph: Photographer and date unknown

A woman stands next to a dilapidated woodshed with earth piled on the right wall and roof has been taken over by the surrounding plants

Robert Smithson, Partially Buried Woodshed (1970)

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

Photograph: Photographer and date unknown

1969—1970

Partially Buried Woodshed

Robert Smithson

1970

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA

Woodshed and twenty truckloads of earth

18 x 10 x 45 ft. (5.5 x 3 x 13.7 m)

This work fulfilled Smithson’s long-held desire to bury a building and allow for its decomposition. The abandoned woodshed was already in existence on the Kent State campus in Ohio. Smithson piled earth atop the structure until the center beam cracked. After the infamous shooting of unarmed student protestors by the National Guard, someone anonymously painted “MAY 4 KENT 70” on a horizontal beam in commemoration. The structure was partially burned down in 1975, causing further collapse. At present, all that remains of the piece is the concrete foundation and a large mound of dirt.

Partially Buried Woodshed

See Also