Julianna Yau’s blog

I haven’t been blogging much because I’ve been spending extra time on finishing a sculpture and taking care of the administrative tasks that go with it (primarily documentation). Here are some things which have been happening while I’ve barricaded myself into my studio:

• Verner calls for film, TV industry’s help to draft C-10 guidelines
• CBC provides a summary of the C-10 issue
• George Jonas from the Truro Daily News asks “Art Subsidies–Why do we need them?”
• Utah Gov. Jon Hunstman Jr. looks into the Spiral Jetty issue
• The government is increasing the Ministry of Culture’s funding by $63 million over the next four years (search for “The Entertainment and Creative Cluster” within the document)
• Geist puts the National Gallery of Canada under his copyright-microscope

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• TIAC - Copyright Law, Technology and Cultural Management (0)
• Links - May 5th (0)
• Links & Update (0)
• Jessica Litman - Rethinking Copyright (0)

There are merely two days left to send letters and emails of concern regarding the proposed drilling near The Spiral Jetty. If you don’t have time to draft a letter or email, you can use the standard letter from The Spiral Jetty website (PDF warning).

Here’s the email I sent:

RE: Application #8853

I am writing in opposition to the exploratory drilling in Utah’s Great Salt Lake which is being proposed by Pearl Montana Exploration & Production.

This proposed drilling is not merely an environmental concern, but one of preserving a work of land art. A drilling operation in such close vicinity to Robert Smithson’s The Spiral Jetty threatens it physical and artistic integrity. I thoroughly support the concerns of the Dia Art Foundation on this matter (http://www.diaart.org/dia/press/spiraljetty_drilling.html).

The Spiral Jetty has found its home in the Great Salt Lake, but is a work of art to be enjoyed by all. I urge the state to give serious consideration to the detrimental effects that drilling will have on Smithson’s work and on the environment, and to deny this and any future filings in the North Arm of Great Salt Lake that similarly constitute a threat to the artwork and the surrounding environment. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Julianna Yau

Related posts

• Oil Drilling near The Spiral Jetty (0)
• The Responsibility of Preserving Public Art (0)
• Playing catch-up (0)
• Quick update (0)
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This came through my email today. I’ll be writing a separate post on the preservation of public art. The Spiral Jetty is an earthwork sculpture by Robert Smithson, and is an important work of modern art. You can read more about The Spiral Jetty on the Spiral Jetty website or on Wikipedia. You can also read the news coverage here or view the Facebook group here.

On 11 January 2008, Pearl Montana Exploration and Production, LTD., requested a permit to drill exploratory wells in the north arm of the Great Salt Lake just five miles from Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty. Although the permit was earmarked to be fast-tracked, FRIENDS and others requested an extension for comments from the public until 13 February 2008. Please see below for email addresses for comments and additional resources on the history of this important issue.

PLEASE take a moment to send an email to the addresses below. Comments are due by February 13.

johnharja@utah.gov
mikemower@utah.gov
jjemming@utah.gov

This permit is the first of many possible permit applications for oil drilling near Rozel Point. In 2006, FRIENDS and other conservation organizations successfully halted further development of oil and gas leases on 116,000 acres of the North Arm. Unfortunately, 50,000 acres already had open leases and have the potential for oil exploration and development.

If you would like to read some background information on the issue, additional resources are available by visiting:
http://www.fogsl.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=1

See also:
http://www.artsjournal.com/man/2008/01/spiral_jetty_threatened_by_ene.html

Related posts

• My letter against the proposed drilling near The Spiral Jetty (0)
• The Responsibility of Preserving Public Art (0)
• Playing catch-up (0)
• Quick update (0)
• Public Domain Donor? (0)