In Rivers and Tides, German documentarian Thomas Riedelshiemer attempts to capture the essence of Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy, who uses natural materials to create site-specific pieces which he then leaves to be carried away--or destroyed altogether--by the elements. Goldsworthy is seen at home in Scotland, as well as in Nova Scotia, France, and upstate New York, where he is commissioned to create unique works. A pinecone-like structure made of thick pieces of ice, vibrant, uniformly green leaves stitched together to form a snake which uncoils as it floats downstream, and a hanging fence of twigs painstakingly pinned together are just a few of Goldsworthy's lovely and unique creations. The artist, gentle and amiable, explains as he creates that part of the beauty of his work is that it isn't lasting and therefore he uses photographs to document what he otherwise would not be able to show. Rivers and Tides is able to present the entire process of a handful of Goldsworthy's works including a few which collapse before he is able to complete them. Set to a score by Fred Frith, which marries beautifully to the mesmerizing imagery, Riedelshiemer's beautiful, meditative, and humorous film is a sensory feast.
