Michael Heizer (American, b. 1944)

Dragged Mass Diametric, 1989

Four-part silkscreen and lithograph prints
27 5/8 x 40 in. each; 55 x 101 in. overall

Michael Heizer, a pioneer of the Land Art movement, is renowned for his site-specific sculptures and environmental interventions that delve into concepts of positive and negative space.

In 1971, Heizer orchestrated a three-day event involving two tractors dragging a thirty-five-ton granite block across the front lawn of the Detroit Institute of Arts. This action left a large gash in the museum's manicured grass, leaving the massive monolith surrounded by displaced earth. For many the work was an eyesore, fueling perceptions of urban blight. Ultimately, the Museum Board demanded the demolition of the granite slab and the restoration of the lawn.

This controversial project illustrates Heizer's fascination with the interplay between nature and human intervention, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms while inviting audiences to reflect on the impermanence of human actions on the environment.

Dragged Mass, 1971 by Michael Heizer

More information about Michael Heizer can be found here:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/29/michael-heizers-city

https://www.diaart.org/exhibition/exhibitions-projects/michael-heizer-exhi

https://www.publicartinpublicplaces.info/public-art-levitated-mass-2012-bymichael-heizer