Redesigning Nature

Years ago, well before kids or even marriage, design-minded friends dragged us to a documentary called Rivers and Tides, and we were forever changed by our first introduction to the work of Andy Goldsworthy. For those who don't know of him, Goldsworthy is a Scottish sculptor or "land artist" who installs his work in nature and uses exclusively natural methods and materials. From stone walls that wind to glistening sculptures of fused icicles, Goldsworthy does everything by hand and by nature. To us, his work remains uniquely moving and his process utterly inspiring. His creations makes us stop in our tracks and appreciate the beauty around us in a most profound way.

We didn’t want our daughters to have to wait until their twenties to experience this sort of mind blowing work. And, what better way is there to experience Goldsworthy than to participate in his creative process—or, at least, a kid-friendly approximation? We shared some examples of Goldsworthy's work with our oldest daughter and some friends and their little ones. Then, we applied some double-sided tape to a few tree trunks, removed the backing and welcomed the kids to attach fallen leaves, twigs, berries and other natural treasures. For the kids, feeling for the sticky spots, selecting leaves and pressing to connect them to the tape made for satisfying and developmentally rewarding work. For all of us, young and old, the results were enchanting. And, we've repeated this in spring and summer too, gathering the many things that bloom and grow to redesign nature.

Goldsworthy-inspired works made by any age nature artist also easily transform a corner of the great outdoors into a stage, fort, castle, or fairyland. Give kids the chance to act and think like Goldsworthy, and you teach them that the world can become even more beautiful when our imagination and nature team up.