Mariana Cánepa Luna of Latitudes was commissioned to write an essay on a work by American artist Nancy Holt (1938–2014) for the Holt/Smithson Foundation’s Scholarly Text Program. Mariana focused on Holt’s “Ventilation System” (1985–92), a site-responsive installation that celebrates air-conditioning infrastructures and draws attention to their ubiquitous, though often overlooked, presence in modern life. While such building components are typically concealed, Holt’s work ostentatiously showcases industrial ducts and fans, blending functionality with wry playfulness. This installation, part of her “System Works”, critiques humanity's dependency on technological infrastructures and subtly raises ecological concerns around energy use. It reflects Holt’s interest in connecting human experience to larger natural systems, akin to her most famous work, “Sun Tunnels” (1973–76).

In today's context, “Ventilation System” resonates with a heightened awareness of sustainability. Recent art works, like Nick Raffel’s “fan (Wesleyan)” (2022) and “wind dial (Pied-à-Terre)” (2021), further explore air circulation in buildings, emphasizing efficiency and environmental literacy. Ghislaine Leung’s “Violets 2” (2018) explores related themes, using repurposed ventilation pipes to reflect on institutional conditions and artistic labour. As climate concerns grow, Holt’s pioneering work, which Mariana discusses alongside these newer approaches, encourages practical and symbolic shifts in institutional practices, advocating for more robust ecological stewardship in the art world.

The Scholarly Text Program invites diverse writers to contribute essays on single works by Nancy Holt and/or Robert Smithson, examining topics from geology and ecology to art and philosophy. Stay tuned for Max Andrews’ upcoming contribution on Smithson’s article “Aerial Art” (1969) next month.