Andy Goldsworthy

Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy is mostly known for lovely, ephemeral sculptures using leaves, stones, petals, even snow and icicles. His works are meant to be temporary, lasting only in photographs. However his permanent sculptures tend to be lustful, free form and nestled in a specific landscape. Goldsworthy’s projects also have a continent-size ambition whilst he travels from east to west carefully selecting the locations for his work. Over time he has collected a team of craftsmen and labourers who follow him around the globe, creating a structure that will obstruct a right of way and offer no entry or exit.

“Three Cairns”

"Three Cairns" 

Three Cairns is a large project which started in 2000, situated at the Des Moines Art Center. There are multiples of three: three temporary cairns and three permanent cairns, dived among three different museums in three different parts of the United States. The three temporary cairns were designed to be destroyed by natural forces; the three permanent cairns remain on view on the grounds of the museums.

Set in immutable stone, “Three Cairns” differs in many ways from Goldsworthy’s previous work. Its refrence is architecture, rather than the landscape; using skilled, precision-cut masonry, not light and lyrical handcrafting. Assisted by a crew of six stonemasons, Goldsworthy’s team carefully cut and fitted slabs of white Iowa limestone to make one solid 8ft high cairn, with a 21-foot circumference.

Even though people aren’t always aware of the temporary projects, building them helps him to understand the context in preparation for his permanent work; helping him make a connection with the idea for the finally outcome - especially with the “Three Cairns” project being solidly architectural. The temporary projects built on beaches at La Jolla, Calif were worked on during the hours between tides, thus resulting in waves destroying them.

"Alderney Stones"

 One of Andy Goldsworthy’s more recent projects is “Alderney Stones” which appeared in April 2011 on the island of Alderney, located in the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the English Channel Islands. The project consists of an installation of eleven, three-ton boulders spread across the landscape of Alderney. Each formed by from a mold of rammed earth and other materials from the island, such as berries, seeds, old tools and discarded gloves. 

“Set in varying degrees of exposure to the elements, the stones will eventually erode, revealing the elements concealed inside, and ultimately return to the land from which they came.”

Although it is quite obvious and blatant the Andy Goldsworthy is an environmental artist, I think there’s something genuine about his thoughts in doing this work. Knowing that it will eventually erode leaves us only guessing what will be concealed inside – if anything at all. With his work so randomly placed, it’s intriguing to see where he will appear next and the reason (if there is one) for it; also the decision of the materials in which he will produce it with and whether it will be temporary or permanent.   Andy Goldsworthy