Richard Long
The Bold Paragraphs show extracts of my writing from my dissertation.
Richard Long was the second artist that I looked at for my dissertation. Longs work different to Fulton’s was about the rearranging of the landscape that he comes in contact with, mainly in a sculptural context.
Long’s sculptures are made in the landscape whilst walking; he uses earth materials around him, found in the natural environment, to rearrange the landscape and create his work. These for example are stones, mud and grass. When materials are limited, Long constructively uses himself as the material, making his mark on the landscape. As well as predominantly sculptural and physical works, Long’s gallery pieces are known to include large scale text works; of which describe feelings of his experiences.
His main motivations are concerned with time and movement and the apparent aim of his work is to rationalise the natural environment that he comes in contact with. This is done by his continual making of big things using little things that he comes across or making marks in the ground on his walks. Using natural materials for Long is a way of being able to engage and interact with the world. (Banning, D 2013,)
His walking subject interests me, but also his work has such uniqueness.My initial presentation for my degree show talked about involving raw natural materials into the work, such as leaves stones. This however has progressed for me and I haven’t carried on with this idea because for me the mixed media abstract approach is working better.
His work also mainly has impermanence to them which are recorded with photographic evidence. This only allows the viewer to imagine what was seen at the time.
This creates strong links to my practice as the walk is where my initial inspiration comes from and the photographs are there as a reminder for me to recall the initial experience and also focus on colour and definition. The abstract side to my work however, allows the viewer to look into it how they choose. This is something that I really like because when I view a piece of art I like to see what I feel and keep those feeling for myself. The way the viewer looks at an artwork differently is unique.
A line made by walking, 1967 is a piece of work that depicts a worn grassland in a straight line. The line is shown with a lighter tone in comparison with the rest of the photograph. Longs process was to repeatedly tread over the same grass land until a line became apparent. Its position documented in the photograph shows the straight line symmetrically placed in the centre of the landscape. This artwork has been produced by Richard Long’s feet and also the physical activity of walking. Rather than walking for miles on end continuously, Long chose his art to depict something that created a pathway, theoretically working to manipulate the landscape. On this occasion, Long could have walked for miles on end, and created no impact or imprint on the ground, however his repetition is what created this simple, stunning work. “When there are no stones, he can walk up and down the footpath as often as necessary for a line to become visible, or with his boot he can scratch a mark in the soft earth, or make a line by pouring water from his flask”. (R.H Fuchs, 1986, P44)
One of Longs Works, A Line made by Walking was a line formed in the landscape from the footprint of Richard Long. When materials are limited he used himself physically as the art work.
This is a very powerful and individual work as another man, footprint, or mind could have created something totally different.
It is amazing to look at this piece of land surrounding the line and really think about it and question it.
Why that particular grassland?
Why did he choose to walk continuously over the same part rather than miles on end?
Why did he walk straight and not in a circle or any other shape?
What was he thinking when he repetitively tread up and down?
These sorts of questions are what I need to begin asking myself after I produce each piece of work.
Richard Long and Hamish Fulton really interested me and inspired me whilst studying my dissertation and have remained a guiding force of my inspiration.
