Opus 40 has been on my radar for decades. Despite my never having been before, an aborted planned visit earlier this year even played a role in the demise of a relationship. Obviously, it was time for me to go there. Last weekend, the opportunity presented itself and I finally visited this Ulster County outdoor gem. Like other new-to-me Woodstock area treasures, I believe it was worth the wait.
We arrived in the late morning on July 4th, parked and paid our combined $24 entry fee. It had been a rainy few days and the mountains weren’t letting go of the clouds which made for a moody view in the distance. The wooded grounds were lush with texture from ferns, moss, and fallen trees exposing their roots, inviting exploration and a leisurely pace.
We approached the sculpture without a map or an agenda. Its fluid curves beckoned, asking to be languidly examined. Together we complied, moving through the work organically following the suggestions offered by the stacked stones and winding paths.
There were numerous vivid green algae topped pools of still water, their only signs of life splashes from the walls which weeped rain water tears, skater bugs and a frog who patiently posed for my camera. While the pools were planned, I wonder if the artist, Harvey Fite, anticipated the addition of pond scum and the splash of color it would provide to what is essentially a monochromatic artwork.
I knew nothing about the property prior to some quick reading in the gift shop of Opus 40, post “tour.” I had heard the artist had died at the property, a poetic coda to his life’s work, which was confirmed during my gift shop literature browsing. Harvey Fite seemed to be an interesting and incredibly devoted character, and he, without question, respected the land upon which he built his ultimate sculpture and resided. What’s not to like about that?
It might have been the overcast sky, or maybe it was the morning weariness that comes from another late night spent with that special someone new, but there was something about our time there that encouraged quiet conversation and shared deep thoughts. If someone, like Fite, could single handedly place each one of his stones precisely in a specific location to create something unique and stunning, surely I could allow myself to be inspired to dig a little deeper, too, and share my own vision for a beautiful future. After all, if we define Opus as a large scale creative work, shouldn’t one’s life be the ultimate Opus?
Take the scenic drive to Saugerties and see this place for yourself. Fite’s 37 years spent working on this massive project certainly deserve a couple of hours of your time.
