Farm workers become very much aware of such field stones on fair days from New Year until the silo is dry enough to start ploughing … usually when the Rooks start building their nests. Frost heaving brings big stones to the surface of arable fields and grass parks so they have to be dug up with chains and tractors with fore end loaders, taken by trailer and dumped in a field margin. Old heaps of such field stones and boulders are colonised by shrubs and some by trees reminding us of the work of preceding farm labourers and ploughmen who used to live in the bothies now used for the storage of sprays and dips.
On flights to Baltic States for our holidays we fly over the flat green fields of Denmark - every one of which has tree topped mounds in the middle and on those mounds without tree or shrub cover we can make out the the colour of dry field stone indicating more recent labour.
For me, playing with nature actually started as a kid before I knew about Goldsworthy, playing with sticks to make stick men that hang from trees, inspired by the film Blair Witch Project.
30 years later, I swim quite regularly, and leaves and petals and insects fall into the outdoor pool I use in London. I take these out and leave them along the pools edge in patterns. Things like this. Someone else does the same, and I don't know who they are, but I see their patterns of pool debris.
Farm workers become very much aware of such field stones on fair days from New Year until the silo is dry enough to start ploughing … usually when the Rooks start building their nests. Frost heaving brings big stones to the surface of arable fields and grass parks so they have to be dug up with chains and tractors with fore end loaders, taken by trailer and dumped in a field margin. Old heaps of such field stones and boulders are colonised by shrubs and some by trees reminding us of the work of preceding farm labourers and ploughmen who used to live in the bothies now used for the storage of sprays and dips.
On flights to Baltic States for our holidays we fly over the flat green fields of Denmark - every one of which has tree topped mounds in the middle and on those mounds without tree or shrub cover we can make out the the colour of dry field stone indicating more recent labour.
That's fantastic that you met him. I love his work and ideas. I do my own little Goldsworthy rituals too.
Oh, you do? What sort of thing, if you don't mind me asking?
For me, playing with nature actually started as a kid before I knew about Goldsworthy, playing with sticks to make stick men that hang from trees, inspired by the film Blair Witch Project.
30 years later, I swim quite regularly, and leaves and petals and insects fall into the outdoor pool I use in London. I take these out and leave them along the pools edge in patterns. Things like this. Someone else does the same, and I don't know who they are, but I see their patterns of pool debris.
Nice addition to the video of Andy working and your talk this last week. Thank you Peter as always.
Thank you!
This is such a beautiful, lyrical post - your words match up with his work perfectly.
That’s very kind, thanks.
I was so excited to see another Small Find! Lovely story, tinged with melancholy. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for writing! 🥰
Beautiful writing, Peter. I need to get myself to Edinburgh soon!! I’m fascinated by this new direction of AG’s work. Thanks for this.
Thank you, Jan. He himself thinks the work has got stronger.
That sounds like a very good reason to visit the Dalveen Pass.
Indeed so. Thanks for reading, Tim.
This is wonderful. I can't wait to see the completed works. I walked his Moonlit Path in Petworth many years ago - a magical experience.
Thank you!
A lovely joyful piece thank you
Thank you!