Wool stair runner

This was obviously a photo from yesterday’s visit to the Andy Goldsworthy Retrospective in Edinburgh, but today I have had time to look at the photos, read the book (of course I bought the book!) and think about things more, so thought I would share another photo and some thoughts.

Wool Runner
This is what you face as you enter the building. A wool carpet once ran up the middle of the stairs and you can still see where the carpet was fixed. Now there is a carpet made of wool straight from sheep - bits cast-off by sheep before being shorn and gathered from fields, but some also gathered from shearing sheds. There was a particular interest in the coloured markings that indicate different things to farmers. The fleece was attached to sheep netting with thorns.

One thought
The exhibition was conceived by Goldsworthy as a single immersive artwork in response to the space, materials and character of the Royal Scottish Academy Building. Usually working outside, he says he came to regard the building in the same way as a landscape - his work becomes part of its surroundings. I think this is what makes the exhibition, more than just an exhibition, it’s an experience.

This is a link to a video on the Scottish Academy website - I haven’t watched it yet, but it could be worth looking into if anyone is interested.

https://youtu.be/IvLsCL4ChYA