Andy Goldsworthy’s Earth Wall
Peek beneath the surface with Earth Wall, the Presidio’s fourth Andy Goldsworthy art installation.
Like nearby Tree Fall, Earth Wall asks viewers to think about what separates “nature” from “built.” In Goldsworthy’s signature style, he made Earth Wall with materials found on site. The sculpture’s six-foot wide sphere was shaped using naturally curved Presidio eucalyptus branches. Clay taken from the courtyard during the Officers’ Club renovation was used to bury the sculpture within a rammed earth wall. Goldsworthy then partially dug out the sphere, evoking the sense of discovery that accompanies archaeology research at the Presidio.
Getting to Earth Wall
Hardie Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129
Why We Love Earth Wall
Earth Wall offers a nod to the ongoing seasonal archaeology dig near the Presidio Officers’ Club as well as to the gradual revitalization of the park’s aging man-made forest, visible just above the courtyard wall where the sculpture is located.
Accessibility at Earth Wall
The Presidio Officers’ Club, including restrooms, is wheelchair accessible. Parking for those with mobility limitations is nearby.
Insider Tip
The Presidio is the home to the largest collection of Andy Goldsworthy works on public view in North America. Experience all four of his installations – Spire, Tree Fall, Wood Line, and Earth Wall — by hiking on a three-mile loop led by the Goldsworthy in the Presidio guide. The walk encompasses parts of Lovers’ Lane, the Mountain Lake Trail, and the Ecology Trail.
Something New in the Presidio's Oldest Building
This Andy Goldsworthy Presidio sculpture is a special treat in a destination already brimming with cool experiences for visitors.
Visit During Saturday History Exhibition Hours
Earth Wall is available for public view on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. This is when the Presidio Officers’ Club free history exhibitions are open to the public.
Eat at Colibri Mexican Bistro
If you’ve worked up an appetite visiting the Presidio Officers’ Club, cap your day with a tasty meal (or cocktail) at the adjacent (and delicious!) Colibri Mexican Bistro, open daily.
Private Events
If you love Earth Wall, you can rent the Hardie Courtyard where it’s located for your private event. It’s one of many spots in the Presidio Officers’ Club available for special events.
Digging into History
As part of his inspiration for Earth Wall, Goldsworthy drew on Presidio’s reputation as one of the only national park sites in the country currently hosting an active seasonal archaeological dig.
Frequently Asked Questions
The sculpture is inside Presidio Officers’ Club in the open-air Hardie Courtyard.
You can see Earth Wall when the Presidio Officers’ Club public history exhibitions are open, which is currently Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm.
No, it’s free to all.
To see how the art sculpture was created, watch this fascinating short video.
Earth Wall was completed in tandem with the renovation of the Presidio Officers’ Club, which reopened in 2014.
I feel all sorts of things when I stand in front of [Earth Wall]. And the people who’ve come in here and expressed opinions have also. One guy said this looks like the rendering of images of the core of the earth. And you know, it’s the exact same thing that apparently is going on in the core of the earth, which is a beautiful idea - to go beyond the surface appearance of things. It’s a very important one for me”
TAGS
Experience the Presidio
The Presidio is San Francisco’s national park site, with endless trails, fun events, and unforgettable vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge.
