Ephemeral Works: 2004-2014

by Andy Goldsworthy

On an almost daily basis, Andy Goldsworthy makes art using the materials and conditions he encounters wherever he is, be it the land around his Scottish home, the mountain regions of France or Spain, or the sidewalks of New York City, Glasgow, or Rio de Janeiro. Out of earth, rocks, leaves, ice, snow, rain, sunlight, and shadow he creates works that exist briefly before they are altered and erased by natural processes. They are documented in his photographs, and their larger meanings are bound up with the forces that they embody: materiality, temporality, growth, vitality, permanence, decay, chance, labor, and memory.

Ephemeral Works features approximately 200 of these works, selected by Goldsworthy from thousands he has made between 2001 and the present and arranged in chronological sequence, capturing his creative process as it interacts with material, place, and the passage of time and seasons.
--abramsbooks.com

Genres: Art, Photography, Nonfiction, Nature

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2015

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

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most artists like to think their art will last a lifetime. They strive to make masterpieces that will outlive them, ensuring their immortality through their creations.





Andy Goldsworthy's works are meant to last for mere seconds to a few hours. He uses leaves, sticks, grass and ice. He throws things in the air and photographs the images their falling forms create. He leaves impressions of his body that disappear as soon as the ground surrounding them dries.



While the physical imagery is fleeting, the impression left behind is anything but. His stunning art is as unforgettable as any painting.



This is an amazing book filled with astounding photographs that beg to be poured over and memorized.



I can think of no way to better help highlight and draw attention to the beauty of the world surrounding us.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, it's awfully good, because Andy Goldsworthy is awfully good, but this is definitely a set of "B-Sides, Outtakes, and Rarities."

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fascinating artwork. Andy Goldsworthy uses nature to think about nature, highlight different aspects, focus on color and shape and patterns, and surprise. In one sense he's a consummate artist; in another sense, he's a kid playing with the miracles of nature; and it's the combination of the two that make his work both unique and significant.

[Dave Newbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not worthy! This was my anniversary present to my wife and we spent the summer enjoying it over and over again. Marvelous, as usual.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I viewed this book while sitting in my public library looking out at a beautiful garden washed with rain and was delighted to find something new, for me anyway, in Goldsworthy's works. The newness was his insertion of self into a scene to make art: rubbing his arm with clay and covering his hands with leaves, spitting poppy petals on to foliage, tumbling in hedgerows, walking in treetops, creating rain shadows, crawling through mounds of fresh-mown grass. This was fun and exciting - made me feel light and happy. I wish I could walk in the fields of Scotland - Dumfrieshire to be exact - and suddenly come across a Goldsworthy piece. I would be most delighted!

[Amar Pai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Andy Goldsworthy but better to see Rivers & Tides or see these works in real life. Ephemeral as they may be

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning work. Huge book though!

[Robyn Obermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man creates beautiful work with materials in nature!I very much enjoy looking thru the pages of gorgous book and reading about material used and getting inside a true artist mind!