Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt's Sun Tunnels Photo Studies black and white

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

Nancy Holt, Sun Tunnels photo studies [detail] (1975)

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

The earthwork Sun Tunnels is in the collection of Dia Art Foundation with support from Holt/Smithson Foundation

Sun Tunnels photo studies are in the collection of Holt/Smithson Foundation

1973—1976

Sun Tunnels photo studies

Nancy Holt

1975

Eighty-three black and white Instamatic photographs with graphite on reverse

3 ½ x 3 ½ in. (9 x 9 cm) each

Nancy Holt developed the idea for her landmark earthwork Sun Tunnels over three years between 1973 and 1976. Part of the process involved using cardboard tubes to model potential configurations for Sun Tunnels, and then photographing these models to understand the shifting shadows and scale of the earthwork. In these photo studies from 1975 we see Holt experimenting with the layout of the tunnels, trying out sizes and configurations of the constellations in the roof of the tunnels, and simulating the effect of constricting vision through the sculpture to frame the landscape. Scrawled on the back of each photo study are notes about the orientation, time, and constellation Holt was testing in each image. Through this expansive series of over eighty images we begin to see patterns emerge in Holt's studio practice—illustrating her systematic approach to making sculpture, directly informed by her background and interest in natural science, photography, and light.

Writing

Writing by the Artist

Sun Tunnels

Nancy Holt

Sun Tunnels, 1973–76, is built on forty acres, which I bought in 1974 specifically as a site for the work. The land is in the Great Basin Desert in northwestern Utah, about four miles southeast of Lucin (pop. ten) and nine miles east of the Nevada border.

Sun Tunnels marks the yearly extreme positions of the sun on the horizon—the tunnels being aligned with the angles of the rising and setting of the sun on the days of the solstices, around June 21st and December 21st. On those days the sun is centered through the tunnels, and is nearly center for about ten days before and after the solstices.

When I was making projected light works in New York, the idea of working with the actual projected light of the sun began to intrigue me. I put cut-outs in my window and models on my roof in New York, so I could watch the light and shadow change hour by hour, day by day. In Utah I made drawings and worked with scale models and large hoops in the desert, trying out different lengths, diameters, and placements, and doing photographic studies of the changes in light and shadow.

Nancy Holt

"SUN TUNNELS." ARTFORUM VOL.15, NO.8 (APRIL, 1977).

Related Info

1973—1976

Sun Tunnels

Nancy Holt

1973-76

1973—1976

In a remote valley of Utah’s Great Basin Desert, Holt’s massive Sun Tunnels looms along the horizon, visible from over a mile away. The four concrete structures are arranged in a cross formation, positioned precisely to frame the sun as it rises and sets during the summer and winter solstices. Small holes are configured in the concrete to cast projections of constellations along the tunnels’ interior; Draco, Perseus, Columba, and Capricorn materialize out of sunlight, their patterns illuminated upon the viewer inside.

1973—1976

Drawing for Positioning of Holes in the Perseus Constellation for "Sun Tunnels"

Nancy Holt

1975

1973—1976

As the name suggests, this is Holt’s plan for the holes that were to perforate one of the concrete tunnels, as proxy for the Perseus constellation, in her landmark earthwork, Sun Tunnels. In selecting the constellations for each tunnel, Holt required that the stars be of different magnitudes, with enough stars in each constellation to encompass the top half of the tunnel. She wanted to ensure the presence of a few star holes at eye level, to allow for views from both inside and outside the tunnel.

1973—1976

Preparatory Drawing of "Sun Tunnels"

Nancy Holt

1975

1973—1976

Twelve photographs of the horizon line correspond to twelve separate angles of sight, a foreshadowing of what will be the views from Holt’s majestic earthwork, Sun Tunnels. The photographs are mounted on paper and demarcated with cardinal direction, as well as the geographical landmarks featured within them. The drawing is both a preparatory tool and an allusion to Holt’s conceptual meditations; the lines radiating from the center suggest an infinite path of sight, while the photographs fragment the view, limiting us to a constructed experience of the landscape.

Sun Tunnels photo studies

Writing

Sun Tunnels

Related Info

See Also