Crawford's El Mirage photographic series (1976–79) embodies his
unique experimental play through the distinctive use of minimalist
spatial constructions on a dry lake bed in the southern Mojave Desert.
Inspired by Michael Heizer, Robert Smithson, and Hamish Fulton, he
blended conceptual disciplines to develop a unique visual language.
Crawford used glass, steel, and aluminum sheets to create fleeting
architectural configurations that emphasized balance, weight, and
fragility. Set against the vast, hazy horizon, these functioned as both
sculptures and performances, which he captured through photography.