Rivers and Tides begins with a journey to Nova Scotia, Canada where a commissioned art piece by world renowned sculptor Andy Goldsworthy is about to take shape. Goldsworthy’s voice can be heard in the background throughout - he doesn’t like traveling - it makes him feel out of place, somewhat unhinged. But he’s in high demand and the winter landscape of the eastern seaboard beckons him. Cut to Goldsworthy rubbing his frozen hands in futility as he chomps and spits out icicles to fit his gravity defying creation. Andy Goldsworthy is an environmental sculptor of sorts. He has become famous for using the landscape before him in combination with found and natural objects from that landscape to make stunning pieces both permanent and temporary.

Director Thomas Riedelsheimer presents an honest, quiet, insider’s view of Goldworthy’s “land” art. Most of the film takes place in Scotland - where Goldsworthy lives and spends most of his time.