Press Releases

Famous Environmental Artist Creates “Sapsucker Cairn”

Andy Goldsworthy sites latest work in Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary

April 28, 2008

Andy Goldsworthy working on the Sapsucker Cairn, with Cornell students Photo by Gerri Jones

The latest work by British environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy is located next to a hiking trail in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. During the week of April 14, Goldsworthy built one of his cairns using locally-quarried stone, assisted by Cornell students from a variety of programs.

“It’s a great location to make it. You kind of get a real feel for a place,” Goldsworthy said. “It fits in very well conceptually with what I’ve done at Cornell.”

This internationally-acclaimed artist creates sculptures using only natural materials such as stones, leaves, branches, mud, and moss. Though the stone cairn is more permanent, many of his projects are meant to decay. Goldsworthy says his work is an ongoing effort to come to grips with impermanence, change, and the relentless force of time.

The construction of “Sapsucker Cairn” was funded by the Program for Andrew D. White Professors-at-Large and marks the final days of Goldsworthy’s tenure as an A.D. White Professor-at-Large. The Program began in 1965 to bring distinguished scholars to Cornell to interact with students and faculty. During his eight years as a Professor-at-Large, Cornell students have assisted Goldsworthy on projects created for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Neuberger Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, private installations, and Sapsucker Woods.

“It’s been one of the most unique experiences I’ve had at Cornell, getting to meet and work with Andy,” said senior Shern Kier. “I felt like I had the opportunity to be brought into a different world.”

To find the Sapsucker Woods cairn, follow the Hoyt-Pileated Trail that begins across the road from the main entrance to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The cairn sits on the right, a few minutes’ walk down the trail. Sapsucker Woods trails are open from dawn to dusk.