1988 ANDY GOLDSWORTHY
2012 ALEX MACLEAN
A featured photograph titled Early morning calm
A featured photograph titled Free swim
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TABLE OF
Contents
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"Early Morning Calm" analysis: background information on the artist and artwork
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"Free Swim" analysis: background information on the artist and artwork
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"Early Morning Calm" Elements of art and principles of design analysis
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"Free Swim" Elements of art and principles of design analysis
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"Free Swim" and "Early Morning Calm" Compare and Contrast
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"Early Morning Calm" Interpretation- Meaning Behind the photograph
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"Free Swim" Interpretation- Meaning Behind the photograph
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"Early Morning Calm" Evaluation - My personal opinion
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"Free Swim" Evaluation - My personal opinion
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Early Morning Calm Analysis This artwork is titled "Early morning calm, Knotweed stalks pushed into lake bottom, made complete by their own reflections". The artist's name is Andy Goldsworthy. This sculpture was made on the 20th February and the photo was edited and published on the 8th March 1988. Its location is in Derwent Water in Cumbria. This artwork is a photograph of a sculpture. The medium used to create this sculpture is only knotweed stalks, Goldsworthy uses only natural materials. Andy Goldsworthy's philosophy is to create a connection between humanity and the environment. Goldsworthy is a naturalist, meaning that all of his art is derived from or related to nature. He creates his work with no preconceived notion of what it will be, instead he relies on the environment for inspiration. Goldsworthy views the inevitable death and decay in his work as part of the life cycle, he has the utmost respect toward the natural world as most of his pieces gradually fade away into the land from which they’ve come. Andy Goldsworthy's global context is environmental. The features that I can see in this photograph are that it is symmetrical on each side, there is a circular hole in the centre that draws viewers into a liminal space. The stalks become more sparse the further away from the centre, the sticks are arranged without order. The colours are dark yet calming and monochromatic. The sculpture looks like a spider web and the angular stalks contrast with the flat water. The reflection is very clear creating a full circle.
"Early morning calm, Knotweed stalks pushed into lake bottom, made complete by their own reflections. . "
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Free swim Analysis
This photograph is titled "Free swim" and was taken by Alex Maclean. This artwork was made in 2012 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. This artwork is a photograph taken on a highly efficient Cessna 182 Carbon fibre aeroplane. It is a pool scape. Alex Maclean's photography philosophy is to capture the evolution of the American landscape and the complex relationship between its natural and constructed environments that contribute to climate change. His photographs have recorded the changes brought by human intervention and natural processes that turn agricultural patterns to city grids.
Maclean published a photography book titled “Over: The American Landscape at the Tipping Point” which is a collection of his aerial photography that seeks to document the ravages of the human influence on vast landscapes. Alex Macleans global context is environmental, focusing on climate change and human influence on the natural world. The features visible in this photograph are a swimming pool filled with people, a vivid red umbrella, a curved cement block, bright blue water. The photograph is a wide view eagle eye shot.
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Early Morning Calm Analysis Photography
Line is the most relevant element of art in this photograph. The sculpture is made completely using lines. The lines are harsh,angular and straight but have formed a circle which is very skillful. Closer to the center of the artwork there are more lines creating a gradient where the lines lessen the further out they are. His use of lines is clever as he only creates a semi circle while the reflection creates a full mirrored circle, the materials he uses are all found around him in nature. Rhythm is used in this photo as the lines are repeated due to the reflection creating a pattern of angular line.
Feeling
Texture
The feeling of the photograph is harmonious and peaceful. The symmetrical balance, neutral colours, centre circle and natural surroundings are harmonious. Although the lines are chaotic and harsh they have been grouped together to form a circle and a focal point which is peaceful.
The principle of balance is strong in the composition of the photograph as the reflection of the semi circle creates a full and balanced image. There is also symmetry in the way the photograph has been framed which adds to the harmony and balance of the final picture.
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Line
This photo was taken at eye level. This angle ensures that the whole sculpture and reflection is seen clearly. This photo has been cropped into a square centering the sculpture perfectly which focuses the viewer's eye solely on Andy Goldsworthy’s creation. The way the photo has been cropped also exaggerates the symmetry as the distance between the edge of the photo and the sculpture is the same. The alignment of the sculpture ensures that the inner circle is at the center of the photo creating a focus point.
Balance
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The texture of the Flat water contrasts against the spicky, ragged lines. The simple, flat background exaggerates the harshness and chaoticness of the lines. If the background was overbearing the sculpture would not be as beautiful or focused upon.
Colour The use of colour in this photograph is not very strong as the colours are almost black and white. The colour is monochromatic and works with tones. The tones in this photo are neutral and peaceful. The light source is the water. The background is light whilst the stalks are dark, this contrast of brightness between light and dark makes the lines stand out.
Shape The shapes created in this photograph are round even though the lines are angular which is very impressive. The shape created in the center is a circle forming an imagined focal point, the outline of the sculpture is a rough circle. The curved shape creates a peaceful mood.
Free Swim Analysis Photography
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Feeling
This photo was taken from above, it is a wide angle lens and a bird's eye view. By shooting the photo in a birds eye view a mainstream scene like the swimming pool becomes exciting and aesthetic. The bird's eye shot gives the viewers a new perspective of the landscape by showcasing the interesting shapes and forms that cannot be seen from the ground. The texture of the water and the waves and swirls are highlighted from the bird's eye view and would not be seen at eye level. The photograph is cropped to ensure that only the pool scene is visible. There is no range of depth of field as the whole photograph is very focused.
The feeling of the photograph is joyful. The bright colours and memories of vacation and swimming I get when looking at this photo create a sense of joy for me. The amount of people in the pool feels busy but it is juxtaposed against the blue water that feels peaceful. The pool filled with people makes it look exciting, if the pool were empty it would have a negative emotion, of loneliness or emptiness. The wide birds eye view the artist has chosen makes the people look small, almost like dots in an expanse of bright blue. The shape of the cement is curved and organic. I associate happiness with these organic shapes as they are gentle and soft instead of geometric shapes which can feel harsh.
Line
Value
The lines and rippling of the water creates texture and makes the water look interesting. The movement of the water looks organic. Its texture is portrayed through the value and shadows of the water.
Value is shown in this photograph in the water. The different shades of blue are what create the texture and rippling effect in the water. The darker hue of blue outlining the cement gives it form by making it look 3D. The value in this photograph makes it look complex and aesthetically pleasing.
Space Space is also apparent in this photograph where the people are located. The distance between the people varies making the photo look free and exciting, instead of orderly. Space helps create a joyful mood.
Balance
The balance in this photograph is asymmetrical but has equal visual weight nonetheless. On the left side there is the water which is busy and textured and on the right side there is the cement which is plain and restful. The photo is balanced by the large item on the left. The cement is not in the center of the right side, it is heavier on the top then the bottom however its visual weight is relative to the other elements and therefore still looks aesthetically balanced.
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Colour
The Colour is relevant in this photograph. The bright blue pool fills almost the whole photograph, however the block of grey concrete allows the viewer's eyes to rest before the expanse of blue becomes overwhelming. The most striking contrast is between the madder red umbrella and the cyan blue water, the red stands out against the blue. These colours are both primary and work well together whilst contrasting each other as one is cool and one is warm. The vivid colours create a joyful mood.
Shape The shapes visible in this photograph are organic which are often used by photographers. The cement shape is curved and organic which conveys a sense of calm and softness which contrasts against the vivid, busy water. The shape of the concrete is the most relevant use of shape in this photograph,it is unusual and makes the photo look much more interesting. The organic ripple shapes in the water represent continuous movements.
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Compare and Contrast
Differences
Similarities In terms of creativity and aesthetics these two photos are limited in their similarities, but not non-existent. Both artists use the elements of art such as line, shape and texture as I have discussed earlier to create aesthetic photos. Both photos use shape and texture majorly. Both photos use organic, round shapes and contrasting textures, between the rough lines and flat water in photo 1 and the busy, rippled water and flat cement in photo 2. Both photographs use natural preexisting scenes.
The difference between these photos is the creativity. Goldsworthy has found a natural scene and used his surroundings as inspiration to create something, only using natural materials to ensure that it is environmentally friendly. His inventiveness is phenomenal as he uses angular rough sticks to create a round shape, Goldsworthy even uses the reflection to create a symmetrical circle. Photo 1 is very creative, whereas photo 2 is not. Although photo 2 is aesthetically pleasing it is not particularly creative as there is no use of imagination to create something and although the birds eye view is incredible it is not an original idea.
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Early Morning Calm Interpretation
Andy Goldsworthy tries to encourage people to notice nature and ponder all of its magical mysteries. By creating this sculpture made of all natural materials and constructing it in its original environment, Goldsworthy is able to observe the effects of time in nature. In all of Andy Goldsworthy’s photographs he is trying to tell the world that nature has potential to do a lot more than people imagine.
When viewing this photograph I feel peaceful and harmonious, this is because of the neutral monochromatic colours, the organic shape, the inner circle, the natural surroundings and the elements of art. This photo is very symmetrical as it is a mirrored reflection, this creates a harmonious feeling. I think the shape of this sculpture is similar to a spider web in how the lines have been shaped. Andy Goldsworthy ensures to only use products from the environment around him to make his sculptures because it is not permanent which means that when it breaks apart it will not harm the environment in any way.
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Free Swim Interpretation I think Alex Maclean is trying to generate a mood of joy when viewing this photograph because the swimming pool is a happy place for most people, he also titled the artwork free swim which intends that the people swimming are at liberty. I think Alex Maclean created this photograph to give viewers a new exciting perspective on a mainstream scene that most people wouldn't give a second look. He showcases the interesting shapes, texture and form that cannot be seen from eye level. I think Maclean might have intended this as a tribute to childhood memories of vacations and swimming at the pool with family, the busy water and vibrant colours exaggerate this feeling. The bright colours, textured water, amount of people and organic shapes all make me feel very joyful when viewing this photo.
Alex MacLean captures extraordinary images by sticking his hand out the cockpit window of his Cessna 182 plane..
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Early Morning Calm Evaluation My personal opinions on this photograph by Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy Photography
I really like this artwork because I am amazed that Andy Goldsworthy stood in the cold water all day creating this piece only using the natural materials around him, then he used the reflection to create a perfectly symmetrical full circle which I think is very clever. I like that the colours are monochromatic and that the center circle creates a focus point. This photograph is very peaceful. I think this photograph is very good, both in sculpture and photography. The sculpture is very skillful and Goldswothy utilizes the natural environment by using the reflection. The shapes are curved and organic which Andy Goldsworthy has clearly thought about and I think it suits its peaceful environment. I also really like how the angular lines of the stalks contrast against the soft shapes. The photography and cropping of this photo has centered the inner circle perfectly to create a focus point. I do not think there is anything Andy Goldsworthy could have done to make this artwork better, I think it is very creative, aesthetic and beautiful.
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Free Swim Evaluation
I like this artwork because it reminds me of vacations and swimming, which are very positive emotions. I like the feeling of joy I get when viewing this photograph. I also like the vibrant colours and the birds eye shot which makes the artwork more interesting and highlights the unique organic shape of the cement and the texture of the water. I think this photo is very good in terms of its photography.
The photo has been taken at a wide birds eye shot which makes a mainstream view more interesting, it has been cropped to ensure that only the pool and cement is visible, the cement also lets the viewers eyes rest from the bright blue which could be overwhelming. The good decisions made in this photograph have made it successful. If I were to change something about this artwork I wish it was more creative, although I like this photograph it is not very creative, Maclean could have edited the photo, created something to come out of the water, etc and I think that would make it more unique and interesting.
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Bibliography https://www.kon.org/urc/v9/Interconnected-Through-Art/binkly.pdf? __cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_zS9VhPYj27un6UsFEW6ZJ.kP_yKq6i7d6Huh9WERIYM1630935518-0-gqNtZGzNAlCjcnBszQb9 ‘Alex Maclean’s Aerial Photography Is Devastating’. Archinect, https://archinect.com/news/article/150132844/alex-maclean-s-aerial-photography-isdevastating. Accessed 6 Sept. 2021. ‘Andy Goldsworthy’. Defluence, 4 Oct. 2012, https://defluence.wordpress.com/andygoldsworthy/. defluence. ‘Early Morning Calm, Derwent Water, Cumbria’. Defluence, 13 Nov. 2012, https://defluence.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/early-morning-calm-derwent-watercumbria/. Esaak, Shelley. ‘What Should You Know About the Elements of Art?’ ThoughtCo, https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-the-elements-of-art-182704. Accessed 6 Sept. 2021. ‘In No Particular Order: Early Morning Calm | Andy Goldsworthy, Landscape Art, Land Art’. Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/97953360614887811/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2021. Log in • Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2021. Stefansson, Wendy. ‘In No Particular Order: Early Morning Calm’. In No Particular Order, 20 Apr. 2013, http://inno-particular-order.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-silence-ofunknowing.html. System, Neon Sky Creative Media. Recreation + Play. http://www.alexmaclean.com/portfolio/recreation-play/120708-0380. Accessed 6 Sept. 2021.
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