"A work of art when placed in a gallery loses its charge, and becomes a portable object or surface disengaged from the outside world"

This quote by Robert Smithson speaks to the idea that when an artwork is positioned in a gallery, it loses its power and ends up being a mere object or surface that is disconnected from the outside world. Smithson is suggesting that the artwork is no longer able to evoke the exact same feelings or responses from audiences when it is gotten rid of from its initial context and positioned in a gallery. He is suggesting that the art work is no longer able to communicate its message or function in the same method as it did when it remained in its initial environment. Smithson is likewise suggesting that the art work is no longer able to interact with its audiences in the same method as it did prior to it was positioned in the gallery. He is indicating that the artwork is no longer able to produce a significant connection with its audiences, as it is now simply a portable things or surface area that is detached from the outside world.