Writing 1: Ephemeral/Sites
This blog post looks at the importance of artistic awareness in creative practices. It critically analyzes work by influential thinker Laurene Vaughan and sculptor Andy Goldsworthy.In Walking the Line by Laurene Vaughan, she discusses the importance of becoming familiar with the environment around us to derive creative inspiration. She argues that the desk you work at might restrict the full extent of your creative potential. Walking, then, becomes a tool to expand your mind—an opportunity to become acquainted with spaces beyond the ones you are familiar with, thereby informing your creative pursuits. Vaughan describes this as "part of the act of creation" (317). However, this is dependent upon the nature of the art you are pursuing and the kind of artist you are. She further states that her explorations into this topic are for artists "for whom walking is personalized, poetic, and possibly radical" (318). Whether walking adds value to an artist's work depends on the artist's perspective. Walking can aid in overcoming a lack of creative ideas; it complements or serves as a mode of expanding on a project. It is not vital to the creation process. For instance, if you live in Arizona and are working on a design project based on a ski resort, walking in a geographically irrelevant space may not offer immediate solutions to design problems. This example illustrates that the value of walking is situational and depends on how the artist feels this mode of exploration would enhance the quality of their project.
Rivers and Tides is a documentary-style film exploring the process of sculptor Andy Goldsworthy. He walks, experiments, and creates in the settings where his artwork originates. In other words, his three-dimensional works require the artist to be aware of their surroundings and how these may affect the messaging and structure of his art. The thorough considerations displayed by Goldsworthy differ from those found in other art forms. In digital mediums, the artist is not as affected by the conditions of a sterile, indoor environment. Reflecting on his project landscape, Goldsworthy states, "There are always these obsessive forms" (4:00). In his line of work, creations are heavily influenced by the natural elements he surrounds himself with, so being deeply aware of recurring forms like water or wind is beneficial to the stability of his projects. Indeed, this involves venturing around the place and mapping these processes in relation to the distance from his workspace. The need to walk and understand the environment is situational. This element of their process is chosen by the artist and not dictated by uncontrollable environmental factors. Before incorporating creative expeditions—whether research, exploration, or walking—artists must consider what value this choice serves in the greater craft to enhance messaging or quality.
