Artefact Project

Biography

Andy Goldsworthy is a British landscape artist and photographer currently living in Scotland. His pieces are created entirely from the natural materials he finds within a particular landscape and are always of a temporary nature. He often uses striking colour contrasts and unusual shapes to startling effect throughout his work.

Projects

Spring mud and moss worked into the roots of a beech tree returned in summer; DRUMLANRIG, DUMFRIESSHIRE 25th April 1999 I began with researching deeper into some of Goldsworthy's work, particularly looking out for pieces that used materials which might be easily found mainly in my local area, such as the garden, Dartmoor, Saltram House etc. Firstly I considered replicating the moss, mud and tree roots piece, looking to both Dartmoor and perhaps even Saltram for a suitable tree with highly exposed roots and plentiful moss, however this was not to be found.

Secondly I thought of using the fern/bracken and a Dartmoor tree in order to recreate Goldsworthy’s tree and bracken stalks piece. As can be seen from my photo taken on Dartmoor, the resources are easily available.

However, finally I decide on using bamboo which was readily available at home and close enough to be able to record and track as often as I wanted, having found two very different and striking types of bamboo sculpture created by Goldsworthy.

Bracken stalks black from beneath the ground laid around a hawthorn tree raining; SCAUR GLEN, DUMFRIESSHIRE 20th April 1999 Comparing Goldsworthy's choice of tree with a photo taken by myself from Dartmoor First woven bamboo sulpture by Andy Goldsworthy Second woven bamboo sulpture by Andy Goldsworthy

1:

I've located some rotting old bamboo that might be suitable for the spherical shaped woven bamboo sculpture, but certainly not for the bamboo with a hole in, as I am sure it would require much longer pieces to achieve. Due to its wetness and being filled with earth I had to leave the bamboo out to dry in the spring sunshine, so little else to do today but wait.

Old bamboo Old bamboo

2:

Longer bamboo is cut for the purposes of the hole bamboo sculpture today. Because it is fresh and green it needs to be left for a few more days in order to stiffen a little.

For the spherical shaped sculpture I am trying to figure out if its possible to somehow weave the sticks together so that the shape is self supporting or if the initial pieces are simply stuck in the ground in order to provide a basis for the piece.

My first attempt appeared to go well but eventually sunk lower and lower to the floor with the weight as I added to the piece.

Bamboo sphere attempt 1 Bamboo sphere attempt 1

Second attempt involved more weaving the bamboo together so that there was constant tension however keeping the ball in the middle together proved to be too hard and eventually this tact fell apart.

Bamboo sphere attempt 2 Bamboo sphere attempt 2

3:

Having dried the freshly cut bamboo a bit I decide the weather is good enough to make a start on the other piece. At this point I make the decision not to strip the leaves off of the canes since I felt leaving the materials in as natural a state as possible was for the best.

Started by placing the largest and strongest poles forced into the ground to form a basis for the piece, but with the wind picking up as it is, I wonder if such a tall structure, especially with the leaves left in place, is such a great idea.

Bamboo sphere attempt 2 Bamboo sphere attempt 2

I create a frame around the eventual hole which turns out to be a hexagonal shape and so far so good. Tension is created by weaving each new pole added in a different direction.

By lunchtime the whole structure has taken shape although I am left feeling like I need a lot more bamboo in order to make it look as dense as Andy Goldsworthy’s.

I considered cheating for the problem of the sinking first sculpture by using string to create a fixed frame with which to build around but abandon the idea fairly quickly. Instead I take photos of the second, pretty much complete sculpture.

Woven bamboo sculpture. Woven bamboo sculpture. Woven bamboo sculpture. Woven bamboo sculpture.

4:

Morning started by taking a couple of photos of the odd shadow the sculpture casts, and also the sunlight through the centre. I am really waiting for a sunset to frame within the circle however.

Bamboo sculpture the morning after. Bamboo sculpture the morning after (shadow)

Degradation

The sculptures is now left to degrade through natural causes, most likely the strong winds. Also, as it ages the green leaves and sticks slowly become whiter, which will hopefully cause a stark contrast between the flourishing foliage behind it.

Final bamboo sculpture, first shoot. Final bamboo sculpture, first shoot. Final bamboo sculpture, first shoot.

A couple of weeks later and the recent sunlight and showers is beginning to have an effect on the plants behind. While the yellow colour when wet, when the sculpture is dry its effectively white against the greenery behind.

Final bamboo sculpture, second shoot. Final bamboo sculpture, second shoot. Final bamboo sculpture, second shoot.

Now certainly looking far more weather worn.

Final bamboo sculpture, second shoot. Final bamboo sculpture, second shoot. Final bamboo sculpture, second shoot.



 



Woven bamboo sculpture.