7.5.10

Artist: Andy Goldsworthy



Andy Goldsworthy is an artist who works within and with nature. His mediums include grass, leaves, wood, sand, rock, ice, snow- really anything he finds. His tools are his hands, teeth and spit- with the occasional hammer. He explains his process as intuitive and is compelled to get to know the feel of a place before embarking on his manipulation of their natural resources.
My first introduction to his work rendered me speechless. I see Mr. Goldsworthy as a true artist in the sense that he creates beauty where it already exists- that is talent.

Because his work is so fleeting, photography plays a large role in his presentation. In his words:
Each work grows, stays, decays – integral parts of a cycle which the photograph shows at its heights, marking the moment when the work is most alive. There is an intensity about a work at its peak that I hope is expressed in the image. Process and decay are implicit.

There are several books of his work. The one in my lap as I type this is called Andy Goldsworthy A Collaboration With Nature. The photographs of his genius are accompanied with short descriptions such as: Feathers plucked from a dead heron/ cut with sharp stone/ stripped down one side/ about three-and-a-half feet overall length/made over three calm days/ cold frosty mornings/ smell from heron pungent as each day warmed up (1982).



For this work the description reads: Early morning calm/ knotweed stalks/ pushed into lake bottom/ made complete by their own reflections (1988).
I just finished watching his film Rivers and Tides: Working With Time. Seeing his process really took my admiration of his work to a whole new level. The film records his process, patience and resilience. Along with his team of labourers and craftsmen he travels to remote locations to manipulate the offerings of mother earth, to create the improbable, out of the overlooked.

10 comments:

cpcable said...

Love, love, love Goldsworty! Glad to see a kindrid spirit!

Jacqui said...

I love AG - he lives not too far away from me, and there are some fantastic pieces by him in Jupiter Artland, which is very close to my house.

http://www.jupiterartland.co.uk/the_works/the_artists/andy_goldsworthy/

This was my favourite - it is just breathtaking.
xx

Lovely World said...

I've got to check out the rivers and tides. This is the second reference I've had to it this week. Have you seen his wall project? I love everything he does.

Bo said...

Really cool!

likeschocolate said...

Thanks for sharing that post with me. I would love to do something like this because like you I find getting to know people from around the world to be facinating. I think it also helps you problably understand a culture much better than ever just traveling to a location alone. However, my husband is a total introvert. How the two of us fell in love is a mystery, but he finds it agonizing to just spend the night at families homes. What a great experience for your family even if your mother thinks you are a little crazy. I thought I new art until I started looking at your blog. I can't wait to come back and read each entry when I have more free time in a couple of weeks. Thanks in advance!

Daan said...

Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog!
What a geat post, love his view.

Happy weekend, and i'll be back!

Nice to 'meet' you, Daan

Clair said...

WOW! I have just put a hold on both the book and DVD. Am really looking forward to seeing more of his work. Thanks for introducing him to us.

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

Cpcable- I have always felt we share many common interests.
Jaqui-Thank you so much for the link- You are so lucky to have him close by!
Lovely World- I have his wall book as well which is a really cool project- However my awe is won in his work with balance of stones, color contrasts and ice/snow manipulation (He works with his bare hands!!). I would love to read the other link you mentioned regarding his film. He is great all around.

Bo- glad you like it
LikesChocolate- So glad to find your blog too- CS is not for everyone- but for my family it has been a wonderful experience.
Daan- Glad to meet you!
Clair- I am so happy that you are going to get to know AG work. My monkeys really love his work as well- I think it is something about using spit that appeals to them!

Cashon&Co said...

i have ALWAYS LOVED the art of Andy Goldsworthy! I remember when I was about to graduate college in 1993, my mom asked what i wanted for a grad.present, and I said I wanted Goldsworthy's books. Well, didn't get it , so I put it on my Christmas gift list. Didn't get it then, so it went on my birthday list. 17 years later I am still waiting for one of his books!!!

Kristin H said...

Oh, a fellow Andy Goldsworthy person! Liking you already a lot. 2 Monkey YOU MAKE ME INCREDIBLY Impressed.
I am a new FOLLOWER:)
Have a Lovely week:)

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