Untitled by Richard Long

Untitled 1967

0:00
0:00

Dimensions: support: 608 x 812 mm

Copyright: © Richard Long | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate

Curator: Richard Long's 'Untitled' presents us with a series of paired photographs alongside a map of Great Britain. The images were taken in April, and the text indicates they document four walks. Editor: The immediate impression is one of stark contrast. Gritty landscapes meet hazy, almost ethereal skies. There’s a feeling of journey and impermanence. Curator: Long often explores the relationship between humans and the landscape, challenging conventional notions of place and belonging. His work intersects with discussions of land use, environmentalism, and the romantic tradition of landscape art. Editor: The repetition of pairings creates a rhythm, and I see echoes of pilgrimage—a walking meditation that transcends geography. The sky, a symbol of aspiration and change, is a common element. Curator: Indeed. The map roots these transient experiences in a specific geopolitical reality, highlighting ideas about national identity and the individual's place within it. Editor: Ultimately, the piece leaves me contemplating the transient nature of our connection to the land, and the stories embedded within a place. Curator: For me, it underscores how walking itself can be a form of resistance, questioning our relationship to place.

Show more

Comments

tate's Profile Picture
tate 10 months ago

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/long-untitled-t02065

Join the conversation

Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.

tate's Profile Picture
tate 10 months ago

Although originally untitled, this work has become known as Ben Nevis Hitch-Hike. In April 1967, Richard Long walked and hitch-hiked from London to the summit of Ben Nevis and back. The journey took six days, and at 11am each day he took two photographs. For one photograph he pointed the camera straight up, and for the other he pointed it straight down. The photographs which appear in the work are the only ones taken on the journey. Long set out at 11am on a Sunday and reached the summit of Ben Nevis at around mid-day on the Tuesday. Gallery label, February 2010