The art of balancing stones has roots in many cultures. The rocks are stacked on top of each other, creating beautiful sculptures. How can the stone balance to have picturesque works of art?
In Scottish Gaelic, the word "Cairn" means a stack of stones or stacks (often conical in shape), a term used to refer to an equal number of rocks when one is stacked on top of another. . Evidence of this art of balance dates back to ancient times, is recorded in the Bible, and can be found in many parts of the world.
Balancing the rock is about placing members or sub-stone platforms in different positions to create a technical configuration. There are no "assistants" in this creative process, such as using metal wires, supports, rings or combinations...
 Counterweight style Photo: travisruskus
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When looking at the overlapping stones (rocks) in a certain shape, viewers may think that this is a performance art, a landscape performance or a religious ritual… all are fine. This art of balancing is an installation that requires the artist's patience and creativity, showing strange "stone shapes" that viewers did not expect to be able to balance, something that beyond the physical imagination. Artists can work individually or in groups in this creative process.
There are many reasons people do this. In the olden days, stacking stones was used to measure the period of the sun's motion, to mark landmarks, trails or monuments... In modern times, this is simply to relax, reduce stress or have fun, learn. However, for the artist, balancing the stone is a way to satisfy his creativity, allowing himself to be immersed in nature and the world around him.
 Clustered style Photo: driftrockbay.com
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Today, Buddhists, yogis, and stone stackers around the world practice balancing stones as a form of meditative art, in the same way that many Tibetan monks create sand mandalas, ie miniature cosmic drawings in the eyes of an enlightened being.
How to balance stones?
To make the rock balance work, the first thing is to have river rocks, beach rocks, mountain rocks of various sizes and shapes. Next is the creative space that must not harm the surrounding population or ecosystem. The third is to have a solid foundation, such as a large rock or flat ground.
Initially, balance rocks in simple shapes, after gaining experience and mastery in stacking stones, one can try a more complex way of balancing stones, that is, placing many stones on top of each other, trying to create counterweight rocks and stones to create sculptures that defy gravity.
 Dome style
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 The Art of Balancing Rocks by Michael Grab Photo: theinspirationgrid.com
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Here are the styles to create balance: you can consult and simulate the stone balance images of artists online. However, the first step is to remember the basic ways as follows:
Fully Balanced: means placing each balanced stone or rock in close proximity to each other. Counterweight: is for the rocks below to bear the weight of the stones above to maintain balance. Cluster stacking: stacking rocks lying on top of each other on a flat surface to form a progressively taller cluster. Finally, the freestyle: a mix of the styles above, including arched…
In short, stone balancing can be said to be an art of installation, a method of training, a hobby or meditation, all depending on the interpretation of the performer. Either way, it is necessary to be very gentle and delicate in the use of each stone, creating the more strange and unbalanced shapes, the more artistic value.
