Welcome to UC San Diego
The UC San Diego campus is home to many unique public art installations, including Untitled by Michael Asher. At first glance, this polished granite drinking fountain appears to be a simple, functional fixture. However, it is part of a conceptual art piece that blends seamlessly into the built environment, challenging our perception of what constitutes public art.
This EarthCache invites you to explore both the artistic and geological significance of Untitled. The drinking fountain is crafted from salt-and-pepper granite, an igneous rock that formed deep within the Earth’s crust over millions of years. The granite used in this sculpture was sourced from Coldspring, a renowned granite quarry and fabrication company based in Minnesota. By studying its mineral composition and formation, you’ll gain insight into the geological processes that shaped this durable and widely used rock.
The Geological Story of Granite
Granite is an intrusive igneous rock, meaning it forms from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth’s surface. This slow cooling allows large, visible crystals to develop, giving granite its characteristic coarse texture.
Formation of Granite
Millions of years ago, massive bodies of molten rock (magma) existed deep underground. As this magma cooled and solidified, it formed granite. Over time, tectonic forces and erosion gradually exposed these once-deep rock formations at the Earth’s surface. The granite used for this fountain was likely quarried from a batholith—a vast underground mass of cooled magma that later became exposed through natural geological processes.
Mineral Composition
The speckled "salt-and-pepper" appearance of the granite comes from its three primary minerals:
- Quartz (clear to milky white) – A hard, crystalline mineral that adds durability and resists weathering.
- Feldspar (white, gray, or pink) – The most abundant mineral in granite, responsible for much of its color.
- Biotite or Hornblende (black) – Dark minerals that provide contrast and contain iron and magnesium.
The specific ratio of these minerals gives each granite type its unique coloration and pattern.
Where This Granite Came From
The granite for this sculpture came from Coldspring, a well-known quarrying and fabrication company located in Cold Spring, Minnesota. It is likely that the specific granite used is Rockville White®, known for its consistent white and gray coloration with black and beige flecks. This granite is quarried from Coldspring's Rockville Quarry, which has been operational since the late 1800s, providing high-quality stone for various architectural and artistic applications. The below photo is of Rockville White® granite from the Coldspring website.
Why Granite is Used in Public Art and Infrastructure
Granite is one of the most commonly used stones for sculptures, monuments, and functional urban structures like drinking fountains because it is extremely durable, resistant to scratching, cracking, and erosion. It can withstand rain, wind, and temperature changes, making it ideal for outdoor installations. The ability to be polished creates a smooth, sleek surface that highlights its mineral composition. Throughout history, granite has been used in everything from the pyramids of Egypt to modern city buildings.
How Untitled Connects Art and Geology
Michael Asher’s Untitled is an exploration of art’s role in everyday life. By designing a functional drinking fountain that closely resembles standard institutional models, Asher blurred the line between everyday utility and artistic expression. The use of granite further deepens this concept—though the material itself is ancient, it has been reshaped into a modern, utilitarian object.
The polished surface enhances the visibility of the minerals within the stone, allowing observers to appreciate the natural beauty of the granite. This contrast between deep geological time and present-day human use is part of what makes Untitled a compelling artwork.
Tasks for This EarthCache
To log this EarthCache, visit the site and complete the following tasks. Message me your answers via Geocaching or email.
- EarthCache Title: Include "Untitled Granite - UCSD - GCB3GJR" on the first line.
- Describe the Granite: Observe the rock closely. Identify at least two of the three primary minerals (quartz, feldspar, biotite/hornblende). Describe their colors and how they appear in the polished surface.
- Analyze the Texture: The entire fountain is smoothly polished. How does this affect the way the minerals reflect light? Would rough-cut granite make the minerals more or less visible?
- Durability and Use: Considering granite’s resistance to weathering, why do you think it was chosen for a functional artwork like this? How might it change over time?
- Measure a Biotite Fleck: Find the largest visible black biotite crystal on the surface of the fountain and estimate its size. How does its size compare to other mineral grains in the granite? What does this tell you about how the rock cooled?
- Source of the Granite: Based on the image earlier in this description, what characteristics of Rockville White® granite does Untitled have? If any, what differences are there?
- Photo Evidence: In your log, attach a photo of yourself or something belonging to you with the drinking fountain at the coordinates. (Note: photos predating the publication of this EarthCache are not accepted.)