written paper

Written Paper

Fei Gao

Inspired by the sculptures of Andy Goldsworthy, my current work is about the relationship between the nature and human beings. I focus my research on the growth rings which show the growth process of the trees. It reflects the climatic conditions in which the trees grow.One thing which I have to mention is that we can only see the growth rings when the trees have been cut, and that means it won't grow up any more. The identity of the tree has been changed into wood. It is human beings that operate the process.

People like trees because of their utility. When they are trees, they could purify air and prevent sandstorms. While when they are wood, the function of it looks more specific, which is to make our lives more convenient and more embellish. Human beings use the trees as well as the wood.  The relationship of the trees, the wood and human beings is to use and be used. 

     Since I started my MA courses, I have been focusing my research on expounding the relationship of them. I have tried different ways to do the projects. Experimenting with different mediums and techniques helps my works develop and evolve. At present, I am devoting myself to using the wood to do some sculptures. By picking up the shape character of the wood and finding the sameness objects which appear around our daily life, I am trying to do some better interpretation of the relationship between nature and human beings. 

I did some research on Giuseppe Penone’s art works, and I very much like his idea which is to use simple materials from daily life to unsettle the boundaries between art and nature, and to point out the interdependence among all organic life forms.

I am also interested in Andy Goldsworthy's works. I think his works are highly relevant to my works, especially the attitude towards the nature. Andy Goldsworthy believes that he should not choose the materials he works with and his duty is to regard and use the whole nature as his materials. He understands from the literal sense of the word that ‘raw materials’ are found in nature in primeval times, which is the starting point of human production. 

In the near future, I still want to continue my current practice. I will also consider the space and time which might be applied to my work. Mentioning to the space, I will do some research about Esther Stocke's works, I think he does very well in using space. The viewer can find out attractive and astonishing geometric environments created in his works. It is to be observed that uncommon linear patterns and planes appearing in every piece resulted from his following a certain kind of strange equation, which totally transforms the physical pace.

I will still use Andy Goldsworthy's works for reference to my research of how time has been applied to his works. I like the film, river and tides. I prefer my current work to being focused on growth rings. In a sense, they are connected with time, for the growth rings reflect the process of life.

Besides, I will also try to use some nature materials to do my drawing. Actually I have been drawing for a long time, and I think drawing is a fundamental art form in all art field. I would like doing some drawing on the wood, because I find there are a lot of texture on the wood, so I am planning to do some drawing connecting the texture. 

All in all, It still need to take long time to practice my current project. I will make a proposal to get a better result.