Rivers and Tides a documentary on Andy Goldsworthy

The value of an artistic creation is based on how much longer can it sustain or how far can it be preserved. However, this notion is challenged by Andy Goldsworthy when he "creates large-scale outdoor sculptures and artworks out of natural materials like mud, wood, ice and stone in an attempt to imbue the physical world with a spiritual, ephemeral element."

In his documentary on Goldsworthy's work, director Reidelsheimer captures some his master pieces. It is often a moment of despair for artists when their creation is shattered in front of their own eyes. However, for Goldsworthy, such moments also have their own beauty. This is how he 'works with time'. He is completely aware that the igloo he is creating from driftwood from the beach, will drift away in the sea once the tide comes in. And yet he calmly observes when the time comes. 

Goldsworthy also mentions some philosophical statements in the documentary, such as:
"The very thing which brought it to life, will bring about its death."
" Art for me is a form of nourishment."
When the igloo is drifted in the sea, he says, "It feels as if its been taken off into another plane, another world... It doesn't feel at all like destruction."

Thus, Rivers and Tides provides an interesting perspective towards understanding what we call 'nature art'. Goldsworthy's working with time helps us in understanding that art is not always meant to be kept till 'eternity'. Nature art can thus help diminish the distinctions between 'high' and 'low' art if we look through the lens of cultural studies.

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