Katherine and I begged leave to audit the Environmental Art class that Lindy Bishop is teaching at Cherryland Middle School in Elk Rapids. Last Wednesday was an introductory session for the ten students who signed up–plus the two somewhat more seasoned students from Eastport. We watched part of Rivers and Tides, a documentary about Andy Goldsworthy’s work, and brainstormed the kinds of materials we might use to make our own installation in Elk Rapids. What do we have to work with? What are the natural materials that we relate to, that hold special meaning for this place and its history? And do we know anyone with a front loader?
Katherine was really good at capturing the afternoon of exploring; all the photos in the slideshow are hers. The gorgeous day was laid on special by Mama Nature.
I was struck by the way the students gravitated to some of the same shapes and elements that are important to Goldsworthy–seedpods (pinecones), egg shapes (cement anchors)–and lovely mud. Mud puddles will have their role!
This week the forecast is for less wonderful weather, but we’ll get out and about in it anyway. Lindy wants to get everyone over to Dam Beach to look at the possibilities for an installation there, and she’s offering a bribe: excellent treats at her Seed Gallery during the break.
Torch Lake Views 
isathreadsoflife
April 19, 2011
This looks like a wonderful project ! Environmental Art is definitely a teaching that should be spread all over the planet. In our own small village there is this class of 6-7 years old kids who spend an afternoon in the forest once a month. They built/arranged their own “village-in-the-woods”, simple and welcoming. They sit on logs while listening to their teacher and sharing experiences, discoveries, all related to Nature. From my home, I can hear their happy voices competing with the birds. Day they will remember, for sure.
Thanks for this great post, Gerry, look forward to reading – and seeing – more about it.
Gerry
April 19, 2011
I think I would make a good six year old. Never lost the wonder. I think Andy Goldsworthy is an experienced six year old.
margie
April 19, 2011
Like it! Lucky kids!
Gerry
April 19, 2011
You can come paint it all Margie, and I wish you would. It’s a perfect plein air possibility.
P.j. grath
April 19, 2011
Looks like great fun, Gerry. Glad you had sun for the adventure, though we all know Goldsworthy sometimes works outdoors in less ideal conditions. Sometimes one must suffer for art! Is this true? It is often said….
Gerry
April 19, 2011
I think it is said by the same people who say “A view of the Bay and half the pay.” I think every kind of work comes with its challenges. That is why they call it work. But I see no reason whatsoever that painters should have to be miserable in order to make pictures of the soul, or poets to make metaphors, or writers to tell stories. I do think that people who are deeply unhappy are often drawn to artistic expression because it is more socially acceptable than howling at people. But I think that making art is joyful work, not unlike making a good meal for people you love, or teaching a child to read. There is a certain amount of tedium, and you might burn yourself, but you wouldn’t be anywhere else.
And next week I will take a different view of the whole thing.
Babs Young
April 19, 2011
This is a project that was funded by Art Rapids! and one of the best we funded this year. I will put on my art educator hat for a minute and wax on about this. I think this is an excellent example of the type of projects that students should be engaged in. It is authentic artistic work, it is the work that real artists do in the real art world. The students will understand their progress as they go along and the assessments will be real and authentic. This project will have an impact on the community and will be something the students will remember for years to come. They will always know who Andy Goldsworthy is and will, more importantly understand his work, why he does it and why it is important. I can’t wait to get down one of these days to see it in action.
Gerry
April 19, 2011
Well tomorrow would be perfect. Katherine is unable to attend and it would be good to have a lensmaster there.
I don’t know what it is about Andy Goldsworthy, but he resonates with readers of this blog. Maybe it’s a northern thing–the appreciation of how it feels to try to put something together with numb fingers while Mama Nature pitches a hissy fit. Maybe it’s just the fundamental understanding that we have to let it go–everything beautiful, everything we make, everything we remember. Nothing, not even the stones, will last forever. But there is now, and isn’t it a fine thing, this now.
Anna
April 19, 2011
That sounds like an absolutely wonderful project! This kind of project is great for students and adults alike who are deficit in nature. Even adults living in their regions don’t know about what is naturally growing in their very area. I am slowly learning about my own region. And oh the natural things to create art with! Art worthy, indeed. I enjoyed Babs’ comment.
By the way, I love the flamingos header photo. 🙂
Gerry
April 19, 2011
I think you are right about the nature deficit repair factor. And you noticed the flamingos!
Sybil
April 19, 2011
You’re giving me some ideas … art in the woods for people to stumble across.
Gerry
April 19, 2011
I like giving people ideas. Send pictures. Let me rephrase that. Send links!