Back when I taught a 3D art class in the Seattle area, this unit was a staple of the semester. Teams of students would get together and create Goldsworthy-like work around our campus. Fortunately, there were plenty of rocks, leaves, and sticks to do things with. I later realized that this art unit could be converted into a great online learning experience, and that it wasn’t necessary to be outdoors (Shanghai, where I live, is currently in a lockdown). Plus it would get kids off their screens for a little while! The task is simple: make versions of Goldsworthy’s sculptures. The seed (or egg), river (curvy line), spiral (whirlpool), and hole (or circle) could all be made with objects found around the house. Just make sure that you insist your students clean up after themselves!
We watch Rivers and Tides together for the investigation component of the unit and I have them sketch and answer questions like “Andy Goldsworthy is famous and successful, but is his life easy?” and “What rules to you think he follows to make his sculptures?”. I’ll post some examples of student work, both from the Seattle years and more recent online learning.
Laundry Hole, Dog Food Spiral, and Coffee River
Draw, Paint, Think 