Visual Arts - Andy Goldsworthy
Contemporary (Post Modern) Frame
Andy Goldsworthy’s art pieces are presented and created in the natural environment using natural resources only taken from the environment. Wood, stone, leaves and flowers are some examples of the materials he uses. His artworks have features that relate to Post Modernism. His artworks can be viewed from different viewpoints and distances and can be experienced with more than just sight but with touch as well. Goldsworthy’s main feature that can be related to Post Modernism is that he challenges the idea of permanence. His artworks depend on the environment and the movement of the earth’s processes that can reshape or move the artwork from its original location and structure. That is what Andy Goldsworthy aims for – especially with the “Japanese Maple Leaves” which is an artwork created by Goldsworthy where leaves are linked together by sticks and are placed in a stream and the audience can see the movement and change in currents of the stream that reform or reshapes the linked leaves’ original position. His pieces cannot remain permanent as the materials used and the fragility of the piece can be easily destroyed in seconds. The longest length of time for Goldsworthy’s artworks is usually 2 weeks.
Goldsworthy challenges mainstream landscape practice by setting his art pieces in the natural environment instead of the traditional surroundings like a museum where traditional landscape art works are displayed. The fact that Goldsworthy’s artworks are not in a museum leaves no limits to the audience when it comes to experiencing the art works unlike in museums where the audience are confined to the room in which the art works are displayed and there is usually no touching allowed. Although with his art piece “Snowballs” in which Goldsworthy places snowballs, containing materials such as sticks and berries, that are placed around London’s CBD which his art work was emphasised when placed in the contrasting environment to which the
Andy Goldsworthy’s art pieces are presented and created in the natural environment using natural resources only taken from the environment. Wood, stone, leaves and flowers are some examples of the materials he uses. His artworks have features that relate to Post Modernism. His artworks can be viewed from different viewpoints and distances and can be experienced with more than just sight but with touch as well. Goldsworthy’s main feature that can be related to Post Modernism is that he challenges the idea of permanence. His artworks depend on the environment and the movement of the earth’s processes that can reshape or move the artwork from its original location and structure. That is what Andy Goldsworthy aims for – especially with the “Japanese Maple Leaves” which is an artwork created by Goldsworthy where leaves are linked together by sticks and are placed in a stream and the audience can see the movement and change in currents of the stream that reform or reshapes the linked leaves’ original position. His pieces cannot remain permanent as the materials used and the fragility of the piece can be easily destroyed in seconds. The longest length of time for Goldsworthy’s artworks is usually 2 weeks.
Goldsworthy challenges mainstream landscape practice by setting his art pieces in the natural environment instead of the traditional surroundings like a museum where traditional landscape art works are displayed. The fact that Goldsworthy’s artworks are not in a museum leaves no limits to the audience when it comes to experiencing the art works unlike in museums where the audience are confined to the room in which the art works are displayed and there is usually no touching allowed. Although with his art piece “Snowballs” in which Goldsworthy places snowballs, containing materials such as sticks and berries, that are placed around London’s CBD which his art work was emphasised when placed in the contrasting environment to which the