Wood

by Andy Goldsworthy

Andy Goldsworthy both parallels and extends the themes and preoccupations that informed the work in "Stone", offering an investigation into wood as he has grown to know it.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Photography, Nature, Art and Photography

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Andy Goldsworthy is an English sculptor, photographer and environmentalist living in Scotland who produces site-specific sculpture and land art situated in natural and urban settings. His art involves the use of natural and found objects, to create both temporary and permanent sculptures which draw out the character of their environment.

Reviews

[Paul]

Wood is a remarkable substance, we can use it to heat us, to carry us through water and air and time spent in coppices can breathe life into our souls. But the artist Andy Goldsworthy sees wood in different ways and this wonderful book is his interpretation of the way a tree lives and transforms. Using the natural materials he finds close to an oak tree in each season he creates breath-taking art that is ethereal and fleeting. These transient pieces are captured perfectly by his camera before they return to nature.

A small confession, Goldsworthy is one of my favourite artists who creates such beautiful natural artworks. His use of different materials in each of the pieces bring different energies and dynamics to the photo, as you know some will not even see another sunrise. There is precious little text in here, the main purpose of the book is the photos. But if you like the natural world, Goldsworthy’s creations from rocks, branches, leaves, ice and snow will touch your very heart. Excellent, just excellent.

[Jason]

Fantastic book, great big pages allow you to see more of his art.

The time spent creating these sculptures would probably break me, I'd get so close to completion and then fall over and bring it all down. He does an amazing job blending his art into nature. The tree in the rock wall was my favourite. Would love to go see some of his work.

[Haley N]

Structurally not as tidy as "Stone," but still luminous.

[Michele]

Here are 2 small samples of some of Goldsworthy's work ... he only uses available nature: leaves, ice, stones, thorns, saliva ... check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq1Sw3...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA-J-R...

[Isla Scott]

This is a very quick read with some impressive photographs of intriguing artworks in nature. Its a bit quirky and avant garde perhaps and may not appeal to all but I liked reading about the authors work and seeing what he'd done. I particularly like that its in c A3 size, the edition of the book I read was anyway, so the images have even bigger/more impact, shown across such large size pages. That's impressive but if your not really interested in art and nature and more specifically photos of forest based structures made from natural items, then this may well seem rather boring and bland.

[Swan Bender]

I have been a fan of Goldsworthy's land art for years and realized I had not taken the opportunity to read this book yet. I am so glad I spent time with his journal notes and photographs.

[Wendy]

Goldsworthy is a sculptor, photographer and environmentalist living in Scotland who produces site-specific sculpture and land art situated in natural and urban settings. His art involves the use of natural and found objects, to create both temporary and permanent sculptures which draw out the character of their environment. They are particularly wondrous and beautiful. He explores unfamiliar landscapes, assess how the elements will work for his pieces, and perform what are essentially a set of experiments. His intent is making work that is, as he writes, completely welded to its site.

There is a wonderful DVD about him:

Wood is a collection of photographs, that document the creation and evolution of his work with trees, bark branches and leaves.

[LemontreeLime]

The first time I ever saw Goldsworthy's art it was in a documentary of him creating it. My first thought was 'hes nuts, what the bleep is he doing??' and then after he was done my second thought was '.....OH!... well i didnt expect that!! its gorgeous but i never in a million years would have thought of that!' This book showcases many of his really fine ideas.

[Mila Paul]

Finally found this book in a library, and YES I got through the whole thing easily! Wow is that a fun book, and Goldsworthy has an incredible mind for imagery. After days of woods and 16' logs, 8' DBH and seedling/shrub inventory, this one is a wonderful break and eye-opening perspective on my favorite topic.

[Chris Allan]

An excellent book by a hugely talented British artist. His work needs to be photographed as it is supposed to be temporary, sitting in and around in its natural habitat looking effortless and utterly beautiful and poetic.

[treehugger]

Wow, this book was awesomely beautiful. This guy is a GENIUS, with a very Buddhist mentality of allowing his art to go right back to nature, from where it came.

[Terry]

This gets 10 stars on a scale of 1 to 5. Simply breathtaking. You have to see it to believe it. Next time you're in a bookstore, search this out and feast your eyes.

[Angie]

another favorite...

[Lafcadio]

Makes me want to play in the woods even more than I already do.

[Bennett]

it's Andy Goldsworthy. breathtaking

[Dovofthegalilee]

Andy's works are generally not found at random at least not for me. Having finally found an affordable copy of this one I savor it over coffee and a well lit room.

[Jane]

Is this not so beautiful?!!?

[Sylvia]

Beautiful :)