Opus 40 is an expansive sculptural garden of sorts created solely by the artist Harvey Fite. This environmental sculpture, located in Saugerties, New York, consists of 6.5 acres of bluestone quarry covered in ramps, rain-fed pools, platforms and sculptures. When measured by surface area, Opus 40 is considered the largest coherent sculpture in the world.
After restoration work on ancient Mayan sculpture, Fite became interested in dry-stone construction. What followed was 37-year long endeavour that became his life's work. Incredibly, Fife only used traditional hand tools of past quarrymen as well as ancient Egyptian leverage and hoisting methods. Though not specifically associated with the Earthworks Movement of the 1970s, Fife is considered a pioneer and forerunner of the field. For this reason, it is important to be familiar with him as a source of inspiration for many Earthworks artists.
After his accidental death while working in Opus 40, his work became open to the public in 1977 and is now a popular wedding venue. Are you a fan of Earthworks? Looking for a wedding venue? I think you've found it.
Heather this is very cool! I want to go see it.
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