Andy Goldsworthy's Rivers and Tides

Andy Goldsworthy, a British sculptor who specializes in land art, narrates this film as we see him interact with nature and create amazing sculptural works. In one scene he is seen creating an ice sculpture, that he creates by chiseling down the icicle with his teeth and attaching it by dipping the end with water and fresh ice. He uses his bare hands to work, he compares it to shaking someone's hand, you would never shake someone's hand with your gloves on. He has immense respect and appreciation for the earth. The sculptures he creates are made out of natural materials and he understands that natural elements will also cause the sculptures to eventually disappear.  The sun that made his icicle sculpture radiate so beautifully will also destroy it, melting it with its warm rays. The wooden sculpture he created will also eventually be swept by the tides it was inspired by. It eventually begins to sink and float away, all the individual branches dissipating from the whole. 

Still from"Rivers and Tides" 

Seeing his calm demeanor as he watches, soothes the viewer as well. I think the viewers of his work feel anxious to preserve the beauty he creates forever, but the artist does not fret and he assures you eternity was never his intention. Goldsworthy does have his moments in which the piece will crumble before he finishes, but he starts again. The piece ends up collapsing four times, but Goldsworthy says "each time I got to know the stone a little bit more, it got higher each time. So it grew in proportion to my understanding of the stone."(25:32-25:44). He states that reaching this deep level of understanding is his goal with his work. He also mentions that the acceptance and deeper understanding of his own work have helped him cope with the shocking changes in his own life (30:15-30:40). In a particular piece he makes, he lays on the gravel as it begins to rain, allowing the rain to paint his silhouette. This piece reminds me of Ana Mendieta's Silueta series. Mendieta like Goldsworthy would photograph her work because they were fleeting moments also created in nature. 

Ana Mendieta, Alma, Silueta en Fuego, 1975

Andy Goldsworthy, Rain Shadow, 1984

Goldsworthy also sees animals as a part of the landscape as well especially in his home of Scotland, he understands the sheep as powerful animals that have directly impacted the land and its growth. They rip the grass from the ground and have created an "absence " in the land. So he uses their wool as a metaphor for the presence they have, stretching it out over the rock wall creating a long trail of wool. He also covers a tall boulder completely in wool, making it appear like a giant creature. As the wind carries away lumps of wool it will eventually reveal the hard texture of the rock beneath. 

Still of the wool on the stone wall from "Rivers and Tides"

Goldsworthy feels that his identity is rooted deeply in the land and when he is away for too long he does not feel like himself. He also finds an escape when he is creating his work, being around people for too long makes him feel drained. All the work he creates is the product of his energy and emotions, even grief. After the death of his sister in law, he had felt the need to create. He made works that represent a black hole a place where both absence and rebirth reside. I find his artwork very therapeutic and believe that the film did his work justice. The film inspires me to go outside, explore the beauty of nature, and maybe try to create my own land art. 

Rowan Leaves and Hole, 1987

Total time: 1:30 

Andy Goldsworthy's Rivers and Tides, 90-minutes, 2001 (CSUS Media Services)