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Experiencing art takes work in itself. If you are inclined to look at 2D photos of a 1.5 mile work of art and make your final decision about its merits, I don’t think you’ve done the work to experience it. That makes your opinion valid but uninteresting overall.

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Ah yes the “work” to travel to a remote part of the country and stand amazed at the concrete erections of this is great man. The work that only few of the inclined can afford. Of course, this installation requires space, and choosing it to be “out there” affords it some additional conceptual credit, but who is this meant to impress except for a certain class of people who have the time and means to do “the work” and actually interpret its profound artistic message? Your comment seems to me to prioritize the artist’s prerogative, and with a $30 million endowment for this installation, I’d say quite a few people agree with you. But shouldn’t we also afford the beholder some respect? I’m quite skeptical of this installation, but I’d go see it if I was ever in Central Eastern Nevada, which I’m guessing, like many people, won’t be any time soon. We shouldn’t discount anyone’s opinion for having not seen it in person because who is it really speaking to in the first place?

> But shouldn’t we also afford the beholder some respect?

Yep. As I said: the opinion of the observer, in whatever capacity they have observed, is valid. But uninteresting overall. In the same way I don’t value the literary criticism of the student who only read the Cliff’s Notes.

Moreover, the “work” need not exclusively be traveling to the site itself. The work was just unveiled. Everyone here heard about it for the first time today. How much context have you taken in about this work?

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