The amazing art of balancing rocks creates a beautiful work like a painting

In Scottish Gaelic, the noun “Cairn” means a pile of stones or a heap of stones (usually conical in shape), and is a term used to describe a number of stones that are balanced when stacked on top of each other. Evidence of this ancient art of balancing is recorded in the Bible and can be found in many places around the world .

Rock balancing is placing stones or boulders on top of each other in different positions to create an artistic form. There are no “assistants” in this creative process, such as using wire, props, rings or adhesives…

Counterbalance style

Photo: travisruskus

When looking at the stacked stones in a certain shape, the viewer can think of this as a performance art, a landscape display or a religious ritual… all are fine. This art of creating balance is an arrangement that requires the artist’s patience and creativity, showing strange “stone shapes” that the viewer would not expect to be able to balance, something that goes beyond physical imagination. The artist can work individually or in groups during this creative process.

There are many reasons why people do this. In ancient times, rock balancing was used to measure the cycles of the sun, to mark landmarks, trails or memorials… In modern times, it is simply a way to relax, relieve stress or have fun, learn. However, for artists, rock balancing is a way to satisfy their creativity, allowing themselves to blend into nature and the world around them.

Clustered style

Photo: driftrockbay.com

Today, Buddhists, meditators, and rock stackers around the world practice rock balancing as a meditative art form, much like the way many Tibetan monks create sand mandalas, miniature drawings of the universe as seen by an enlightened being.

How to balance stones?

To create a rock balancing work, the first thing is to have river rocks, beach rocks, and mountain rocks of different sizes and shapes. Next, the creative space must not cause harm to the surrounding residents or ecosystem. Third, there must be a solid base, such as a large rock or flat ground.

Initially, balance stones in simple shapes, after gaining experience and mastering the way of balancing stones, we can try more complex ways of balancing stones, that is, placing many stones on top of each other, trying to create counterweight with stones and stones to create sculptures that defy gravity.

Dome style

Michael Grab's Rock Balancing Art

Photo: theinspirationgrid.com

Here are some ways to create balance: you can refer to and imitate the rock balancing images of artists on the internet. However, the first step is to remember the following basic ways:

Perfect balance: means placing each stone or boulder in a balanced position close to each other. Counterweight: is letting the rocks below bear the weight of the rocks above to maintain balance. Cluster: arrange rocks on top of each other on a flat surface to form a cluster of gradually higher clusters. Finally, free style: mix the above styles, including the dome shape…

In short, stone balancing can be said to be an art of arrangement, a method of training, a hobby or meditation, all depending on the understanding of the practitioner. In any case, it is necessary to be extremely gentle and delicate in using each stone, creating the strangest and more unbalanced shapes, the more artistic value.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ky-thu-nghe-thuat-giu-can-bang-da-tao-nen-tac-pham-dep-nhu-tranh-ve-1851111983.htm