Natural materials example

Natural Materials

Natural materials have been used in art making for thousands of years. Contemporary artists such as Richard Long continue this long tradition by placing natural materials at the center of their art practice. At Chinati, we see a heightened presence of the natural world, from Long’s Sea Lava Circles (1988) to Donald Judd’s and Robert Irwin’s considerations of Marfa’s landscape and sky. Discover what makes natural materials versatile and expressive, and create your own tactile art object.

 

What are natural materials?

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This week we are exploring natural materials in art. Natural materials have been used in art since humans first made marks on cave walls and ceilings. Richard Long's Sea Lava Circles, 1988, is the most direct use of natural materials in Chinati's collection. As the title indicates, this work features three concentric circles of sea lava stones collected from Iceland. Long uses a variety of materials and processes in his work, from photography and writing, to performance and his own body, but the natural world is always at the center of his practice. Long's primary way of engaging with nature is through walking. He collects materials from these walks, sometimes making ephemeral works along the journey, and sometimes developing work from the material in a human made environment. In Sea Lava Circles, Long does not alter the stones, other than to place them in this circular formation, with the largest stones compiling the outer circle and the smallest stones compiling the inner circle. What artworks have you seen or experienced that use natural materials? #chinatiedu #chinatifoundation #richardlong

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Your natural world

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Today’s making prompt! Natural materials are amazing, not only because of their versatile use in art, but also because they are easily attainable right outside. To begin our exploration of natural materials, we encourage you to take a walk, observe your surroundings, and collect natural items. What do you see in your city, street, or yard? Where do you find the natural world popping through in unexpected places? Chinati is located in the Chihuahuan Desert; if you've been following us the last few months, you'll know that this high desert landscape is thriving with plant and animal life. Donald Judd's 15 untitled works in concrete sit within this landscape among grasses, soil, wildflowers, cacti, shrubs, and trees. Up close these works are quite large, often framing, obscuring, or augmenting your view. The works stretch across a kilometer– viewing them takes time, effort, and exposure to the elements. Though concrete is humanmade, the placement of these objects in nature is key to experiencing them. Stepping back they become more and more integrated into the landscape. Get to know your materials today and make sure to save them for tomorrow's prompt! Share your recordings and observations with us at #chinatiedu #chinatifoundation #donaldjudd

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How far can you go?

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Before making a new artwork, it can be useful to know what your materials can do and how you can use them. Today we are going to play with our natural materials and see what happens! Playing with and exploring materials is often important to an artist's process, just like sketching and making studies for an artwork. In early March, we worked in partnership with @dixonwaterfoundation to bring Marfa eighth graders to Mims Ranch to learn about topography and water cycles. Students sketched the mountaineous terrain in the distance in order to become more familiar with how the earth rises and falls. The following day, the students came to Chinati to walk along Judd's concrete works and to create plaster landscapes. We'd love to see your studies! Share at #chinatiedu #chinatifoundation

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Oooh! Can I touch it?

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Now that you know your natural materials inside and out, what will you make with them? Your challenge today is to make an artwork that is tactile! A tactile artwork is one that is made with touch in mind– the final piece can either be touched, or provoke the desire to be touched. Although you can't touch the basalt rock element of Robert Irwin's untitled (dawn to dusk), students often express the wish to do just that. The element sits in the middle of the installation's courtyard and consists of several layers and heights. The rock looks both smooth and jagged in places; possibly cold to the touch, or burning depending on the day and outside temperature. What is an artwork you wish you could touch and why? What do you think it might feel like if you could run your hand across it? Let us know in the comments! And make sure to share your projects with us at #chinatiedu #chinatifoundation #robertirwin

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