Understanding Visual Communication

AHVS121 Winter 2021 Week 10 Self-directed Activity and Assignment 8 Self-directed Activity for March 18, 2021 In a normal, in-person term, we’d be watching a film on Andy Goldsworthy’s art in class this Thursday. This is one of my favourite parts of the course and I hope you all enjoy it too. Since it makes no sense to do this over Zoom, I am assigning the film viewing as a self-directed activity. Because I do want you to see the film, I am designating that class time for you to ensure there is a place in your schedule to do so. You do not have to watch the film on Thursday at 3:30, but the time is there for you to use. So, reminder there is NO SCHEDULED LECTURE on Thursday March 18th. Instead I want you to watch the documentary Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy working with time (Thomas Riedelsheimer, dir., released in 2001). The library found a site that has Rivers & Tides (it’s also available on iTunes in HD for rent $5 or purchase $10) Part 1 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15e83f Part 2 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15ee51 I had to do each link individually, it does not automatically advance to part 2. Also, sorry for whatever else the site tries to show you. Click on other links at your own risk. Film still from the documentary: one of my very favourite works of art.

That’s it for the activity J – if you’re doing the assignment, it’s on the next page.

Assignment 8:

The section of the film shot at Goldsworthy’s home shows him doing independent work, exploring the possibilities of materials at hand. But the Nova Scotia cone, and much of the other artwork shown in the film, was done on commission. In those cases, Goldsworthy is working in the centuries-old tradition of fulfilling a contract, to produce a specific kind of work using specific materials. One of the distinctions is often between ephemeral and permanent materials; most of the time natural materials are used in his processes. The goals of the assignment are to: 1) to consider art making as a physical practice that requires practice and problem solving. 2) to contemplate the balance of factors in negotiating personal creativity and the expectations of patrons & society in general. 3) to evaluate the importance of art-making as reflective of, and an influence on, cultural beliefs and attitudes towards the earth in general and their specific relationships with the environment. Did the film disclose information about any of these aspects in Andy Goldsworthy’s art or process? What are some of the other concerns and aspects that link Goldsworthy’s work to that of the other artists/works/concerns we’ve been looking at? Analyze some of the interesting aspects of the film; did it help you understand/appreciate Goldsworthy’s art? Discuss the implications of creating art to specification (including use of specific materials). Are restrictions always detrimental to art making? How do the different forms of land art (in the film and in lecture/tutorial) resonate with you? Why? Imagine you are commissioned to prepare a work of land art. What would you create? Why? Develop your answers. Write a brief analysis, minimum 750 words, due to me by email [email protected] Before TUESDAY April 6, 2021 at 3:30PM. (Note: Monday the 5th is a stat. holiday in Canada. Also, when I made the official schedule, I skipped over a line in the chart & no one caught it before approval, so yes, you’re getting an extra week for these last ones ;-) Please see course outline for important details on how to format & submit assignments.