Nancy Holt at Dia: Sun Tunnels

Nancy Holt is known for artworks that engage the celestial: stars, sunlight, and orbiting bodies. In 2018, with support from the Holt/Smithson Foundation, Dia acquired Holt’s "Sun Tunnels" (1973–76) and continues to steward the work to this day.

Composed of four concrete cylinders—18 feet in length and 9 feet in diameter—"Sun Tunnels" is located in the Great Basin Desert in northwestern Utah. The work centers Holt’s interest in perception and time, sculpting the sun’s light through the interplay of land and sky and shifts from day to night.

Dia Art Foundation is pleased to share this film highlighting "Sun Tunnels" and the work of Nancy Holt in celebration of our 50th anniversary. 

Support provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies 

Video: SandenWolff 
Interviews: Rachel Wolff and Noah Therrien
Story editing: Rachel Wolff 
Filming: Noah Therrien and Jonathan Sanden
Video editing: Stephen Parnigoni 
Music: roeaudionews, Macroform, courtesy of Jamendo

Dia Art Foundation staff 
Producers: Katherine Ellis and Dan Wolfe
Production assistant: Claire O’Neill
Copy editing: Karen Rasaby
Rights and reproductions: Jenn Kane

Special thanks to Lisa Le Feuvre and William T. Carson

Additional thanks to Gretchen Dietrich and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts

© 2024 Dia Art Foundation

All works by Nancy Holt © 2024 Holt/Smithson Foundation / Licensed Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York