You cannot predict what the Environmental Art Class will get up to. Yesterday the plan was to try a couple of experiments at Memorial Park: a design project around the big willow and a color drop from the bridge. A little digression into frog study and then back to the studio, where gathering around the big table has a synergy of its own.
All of this happened in a little over two hours, and went in twenty directions at once. That astonishes me. Watching this bunch is like watching synapses crackle. What We Learned: It’s harder than it looks to get something to float down the river in an artistic manner, as it is likely to get caught in an eddy and stay there in a very boring manner. It’s harder than it looks to create a design in the ridges of a willow’s bark. The willow makes its own design. Frogs are interesting.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and speculate that Andy Goldsworthy himself has had these very same experiences.
The artists are thinking about the whole thing during the week, too. The final project will, pending approval, be installed on the library hill. You can see some of the sketches here, or you can just wait to be surprised. Or maybe both.
I asked what happened to the guys and everyone just shrugged and said “It wasn’t what they expected.” (Note to the guys: Nothing is ever what I expect. Either you know something I don’t know, or I know something you don’t know. We should compare notes sometime.)
Torch Lake Views 
Wendi
May 12, 2011
Thanks for sharing this Gerry. Very interesting to see the art. We have noticed the same thing with boys of that age and poetry. IN GENERAL girls are more centered on the arts in high school, and then there is a shift and more guys participate after they graduate. Just what we have noticed from Terry working in schools and then carry over to Stone Circle. It has always puzzeled. I am glad that someone else is noticing.
Gerry
May 12, 2011
I think that all of us come to the arts from different places at different times in our lives. I have a sneaking suspicion that the guys would have stuck with a chainsaw sculpture class . . . but maybe not. At least a couple of them gave it a try.
Lauren
May 12, 2011
I love your note to “the boys”… I hope they read it!
I just keep thinking of the varied education the artists are receiving during this project…. I wish all kids had the opportunity. Thanks again for calling attention to it and reporting.
Gerry
May 12, 2011
Guy-type people do read TLV but they usually lay low unless it’s about fishing. You never can tell, though. My most treasured comment came from a young man stationed in Iraq who was moved by a post about Home.
I think all kids could have some excellent opportunities in the arts and in school generally if we made two commitments: to provide equitable and sufficient funding to all public schools, and to recognize that the arts are a valuable key to young minds. Here endeth the sermon.
P.j. grath
May 12, 2011
I’ll bet you’re right about Mr. Goldsworthy having plenty of those experiences, too, Gerry. As for boys and art, we’re thrilled that our two grandsons in Minnesota are as much into painting as they are into logrolling.
Gerry
May 12, 2011
Good. I think Molly’s right. Everyone should have an art to fall back on. Plumbing and car repair skills are handy too. My only useful skill is that I am lucky at fishing, but I figure that will see me through.
Dawn
May 12, 2011
You’ve got me laughing out loud here….”it wasn’t what they expected?” What every IS what a teenage boy expects? LOL….
Gerry
May 12, 2011
Actually, I’m pretty sure that what the boys who sampled the class were thinking of was building structures–like the monumental sand sculptures made on beaches, or the ice and snow sculptures made at winter festivals. When the class wasn’t what they expected, they bailed. Nothing that happens in my life is what I expect, but I almost never bail. Partly I like surprises, and partly I adapt. So the question arises in my mind, are the boys just realists who walk away from something that isn’t what they wanted? Maybe I should be more like that? Or am I more flexible and even adventurous in some ways, ending up with experiences that are even better than anything I might have expected? In that case, maybe they should be more like I am! Anyway, it would be interesting to compare notes.
Nye
May 12, 2011
I see the frogs are back from winter hibernation. Lee and I have to try the flower floating, see if we have any artistic talent.
Anna
May 13, 2011
Sounds like a fun project. Great frog photo… neat! Enjoyed the post! 🙂
Gerry
May 13, 2011
@ Nye, it would be fun to see what kind of flower floating you and Lee design! The frogs are definitely out and about, and every wetland is filled with the lovely racket of spring peepers.
@ Anna, it is fun, and thank you!