the lightning field

Walter De Maria 1977 installation   This was the subject of a book and a lecture yesterday at the Berkeley Art Center by Kenneth Baker. Two things, the four of us who attended have lived in or around Berkeley for too many years to even mention and none of us had been to the center. And I expected Kenneth Baker (art critic) to be this stuffy, snooty individual. In fact he was funny, casual, and a very good speaker. The four of us were all aware of the Lightning Field, and had looked into a visit. At the end of the lecture we realized that none of us had any interest in going and spending the $150-$250 per person a night. That, in fact, we didn't need to. Evidently it really doesn't even attract lightning. Although the rather reclusive artist will not speak of his "motive" behind the piece, Kenneth Baker had his own ideas. One of those ideas was the connection of earth and sky, and the purpose of a visit was to observe the sun falling and rising. The four of us realized we have spent enough time outside in landscapes that deeply connect us to the natural world and have witnessed the expansive skies that keep us going back to experience these relationships. And we all like lightning. Mike had a theory that maybe the reason De Maria won't talk about it was the failure as a lightening attractor. But the lecture was interesting, thought provoking, and it got us out of the house and into the art world. We joined for a potluck dinner afterwards and kept the discussions going.

I've included this photo taken on the upper Owens River September 2011. While I was standing on the hill with my camera, the clouds were getting blacker, and Mike was out on the river, fishing rod in hand. When a large clap of thunder echoed over our heads, he decided perhaps, standing with a lightning rod in his hand was not a good idea, and I thought being on the top of the hill was also a little fool hardy. We never saw the lightning, but I am sure it was close.