linda fetch

You might already know about this guy, if not get ye to Google and your local library system.

Briefly: he’s an British “environmental artist”. Not “environmental” as in “environmental activist” but as in “using all materials directly from, and mainly working in, natural spaces.” He uses stone, wood, leaves, sheep wool, grass, snow, ice or whatever is lying around, and creates pieces ranging from gem-like little constructions of broken stones to huge walls made with the help of dry-stone masons and tractor operators.

The easiest way to get an overview of his work is to watch the movie made about him called “Rivers and Tides.” Besides showing some of his most stunning work, it’s quite a work of art in itself as a film and beautiful to watch. Goldsworthy’s explanations are not always the most coherent; but the images are stunning.

Next, check out a book called “Hand to Earth” which shows quite a few photos of his pieces with some interesting essays and plenty of bibliographical/historical material. “A Collaboration with Nature” is also full of great photos, but there is only a brief introductory essay and no other written material (except the captions for the pieces which very tersely describe the materials they were made of, the conditions surrounding them, etc.)

Basically, besides the inherent beauty of his work, I think he makes you reflect on what “art” is and what an “artist” does.

Incidentally, somewhere along the line a quote from Whistler comes up to the effect: “A piece of art is not complete until any indication of the effort it took to create is gone.” I like that. Goldsworthy’s pieces remind me of that. His works are often just departures from things a kid would do: make a stack of rocks, weave a bunch of branches together, mark on a wall with chalk, etc. — but taken to a sublime extreme.