The Burkean Sublime and the Beautiful in Goldsworthy’s Art
Goldsworthy’s art reflects both the beautiful and the sublime from Burke’s philosophy. According to Burke, the sense of the sublime excites horror because it is astonishing and terrifying, whereas the sense of beauty is evoked by something affectionate and tender (Quinton 72). I can see Burkean’s beauty in the tenderness and affection with which the artist creates his sculptures and compositions. He is exceptionally patient and persistent in creating what he intended to and does not give up even after something does not go as planned.
I watched the Rivers and Tides documentary with awe, each new piece impressing me more than the previous one. Meanwhile, the sublime can be seen in the way that nature destroys whatever the artist created. This indicates that humans should never forget the destructive power of nature. Goldsworthy seems to be drawn to the beautiful more because he focuses on the creation and does not get distracted by the destruction.
Weather as a Collaborator in Goldsworthy’s Creative Process
The wind, water, and sun are Goldsworthy’s collaborators throughout his work. For instance, in a scene where he carefully layers the leaves, which are blown away just a few moments before he finishes, the weather is like a co-author (Rivers and Tides). This collaborator not only destroys the piece of art but also hints that there should be some mystery left about it. In another case, when Goldsworthy builds a sculpture from icicles, he invites sunrays to be his helpers.
The artist waits for the sun to melt the pieces and merge them to complete a single piece. One more example is when the wind lets the composition made of sticks hanging onto a tree remain there just for a few moments and then lets them fly to the ground. Some may consider this destruction, but these instances represent the ways in which the weather collaborates with the artist.
Works Cited
Quinton, Anthony. “Burke on the Sublime and Beautiful Philosophy.” Philosophy, vol. 36, no. 136, 1961, pp. 71-73.
Rivers and Tides. Directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer, Roxie Releasing, 2001.