This organic art is only temporary – a fleeting moment of organization in a seemingly chaotic world. Mason often combines leaves into geometric designs, cuts patterns into them or leaves a trail to create a pattern. The photograph then is the only proof of his creation, which is often ruined or destroyed by a gust of wind or the next storm. Water, stones, leaves, needles and grass all play an important role in his designs, which evolve from in-the-moment inspiration.
As Mason says on his Tumblr page – “Everything I do is an experiment. If the picture I make is good or not is of little importance in comparison to what I have learned. If the experiment ‘works’ I have the feeling of arrival, of completion, I am finished with the idea. If it doesn’t work I often learn far more; it makes me think about why I failed, and often gives me dozens of new ideas.” The Berlin-based artist has a slew of great images of his work on his Flickr page if you want to see more.
Via Kuriositas
Images ©Walter Mason
Yeah, the Goldsworthy conflict… of course Andy doesn’t have a patent on making art out of leaves and sticks, but he has established himself and his beautiful work quite firmly. It is an intuitive drive to make things in a similar way, and Andy G has done a very wide range of work, so I always feel like he has it covered, unless I were to go in a very particular direction with it. These images fall well within Goldsworthy’s covered terrain. Slightly more attention to detail, but not sure it adds a new dimension to A.G.’s work in any way.
Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist who has been doing same thing for at least) the last 15-20 years. He has published several books on his naturalistic art, and was subject of the documentary film Rivers and Tides.
Mason’s work is beautiful, but feels like he’s very closely imitating Goldsworthy.