October 5, 2011 Rock Balancing

[CaliforniaMama]

Mark Frauenfelder, of BoingBoing, was hanging out at Eben G. Fine Park, Boulder, CO, for a family reunion. He noticed these sculptures in the river and took the above picture thinking they were a permanent art installation.

He later discovered they were rock sulptures by Mike Grab of Gravity Glue.

The formations act like beacons that inspire interactions with spirit. Intricately balanced rocks spur reactions ranging from disbelief to pure reverence as if they speak to your subconscious.

Mike lives in Boulder and balances rocks when he can. Check out his website for some fantastic images of balanced rocks.

His website also includes his philosophy of balancing rocks and hints on how to do it yourself.

Many people liken the formations to people, and groups or "gardens" to communities of people. They describe a common sensation of increased energy dancing among the gardens.

[glatt]

I know someone whose little kid saw one of these on a shoreline, was curious, so walked over to look at it more closely, touched it, and a heavy rock fell and smashed the kid's bare foot. These are one of those deceptively dangerous things. In hindsight it's obvious, but I bet you didn't look at these and immediately think "broken feet." It's good that these are out in a stream where they are relatively unreachable.

[grynch]

not quite the same thing... but this is known as the cheesewring... a natural(?) stone formation in eastern Cornwall ( s.w. England )





another pic... for a bit of perspective...

[Scriveyn]

Originally Posted by grynch

not quite the same thing... but this is known as the cheesewring... a natural(?) stone formation in eastern Cornwall ( s.w. England )
...

On Bodmin Moor, near a lovely little village of St. Neot where I stayed at an excellent farm B&B. Also see the Eden Project while you're there.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by grynch

not quite the same thing... but this is known as the cheesewring... a natural(?) stone formation in eastern Cornwall ( s.w. England )

Mmmm.... cheese

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by glatt

I know someone whose little kid saw one of these on a shoreline, was curious, so walked over to look at it more closely, touched it, and a heavy rock fell and smashed the kid's bare foot. These are one of those deceptively dangerous things. In hindsight it's obvious, but I bet you didn't look at these and immediately think "broken feet." It's good that these are out in a stream where they are relatively unreachable.

Did they try to sue God over gravity?

Clearly, this practice should be outlawed.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

Clearly, this practice should be outlawed.

I don't think it should be outlawed at all, in fact, I've done this myself.

But I do think that people should be mindful of what they are doing and how it may impact others, especially in a public place. I think these are kind of cool and the few that I've seen, I've enjoyed. But if they were everywhere, I'd probably get sick of them, especially if I were visiting some pristine back country stream and was trying to get away from signs of other people. These go against the idea of "leave no trace."

[SPUCK]

Originally Posted by glatt

But if they were everywhere, I'd probably get sick of them, especially if I were visiting some pristine back country stream and was trying to get away from signs of other people. These go against the idea of "leave no trace."

I agree. I always knock them down if I see them. I want to see as much of this earth as I can in it's natural state. I don't want to see some guy's personal statement or 'art'.

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by SPUCK

I agree. I always knock them down if I see them.

SPUCK the Destroyer!

[Pete Zicato]

Originally Posted by glatt

In hindsight it's obvious, but I bet you didn't look at these and immediately think "broken feet."

I dunno, glatt. I think most parents with small kids would think "broken feet". I know I would've.

That stream is moving pretty fast, for that matter.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by glatt

I know someone whose little kid saw one of these on a shoreline, was curious, so walked over to look at it more closely, touched it, and a heavy rock fell and smashed the kid's bare foot.

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

I dunno, glatt. I think most parents with small kids would think "broken feet". I know I would've.

I know parents can't watch their children every second.
I do get that now I work in a school.

But I would hope most parents would try to instill a "look don't touch" for unusual objects seen in nature. They might be sculpture, religious totems or dangerously balanced rocks. Not to mention nests, hives, actual animals etc.

Sad the kid got a broken foot (realy nasty if it was multiple bones). Glad it wasn't worse.

[CaliforniaMama]

Originally Posted by Sundae

I know parents can't watch their children every second. <snip> But I would hope most parents would try to instill a "look don't touch" . . .

Originally Posted by classicman

Bet that kid learned his lesson though. Tough way to do it. I'm sure he think twice next time.

Having been a parent to two very active and challenging boys for 12 years (and one mellow girl, thank the heavens), and having been the type of parent to take the little ones to museums in an attempt to instill something in them, I have noticed/learned that:

A) Some parents believe in free range parenting. Not only do they loosely watch their children, they don't seem to see anything wrong with touching works of art.

More than once, I have had to physically restrain my dear hubby while children-who-are-old-enough-to-know-better are touching the surface of a painting in a museum.

Although, I must admit it was one of mine that almost knocked that sculpture off its pedestal. You would be amazed how the heart beats while watching a pedestal rock to and fro. My goodness, I've just broken a sweat thinking about it!

B) Not all children connect cause with effect.

I remember touching the surface of the iron because I was curious to see what something felt like that could made fabric so flat and smooth.

After my mother finished bandaging my hand, I touched it with my other hand, because I didn't get how heat could make something flat like that. There must be something I missed the first time.

Yes, I do remember actually thinking like that. Some people did say I was a strange child . . .

The worst part is that my mother hoped I would one day get the children I deserved. See Item A.

[BigV]

you're right grynch, not the same thing. But you still might break your foot.

[grynch]

Originally Posted by BigV

you're right grynch, not the same thing. But you still might break your foot.

I've pushed against those stones tho.. all 200lbs of me ... not a budge

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by grynch

I've pushed against those stones tho.. all 200lbs of me ... not a budge

Hah! I'm trying to picture the look on your face if you'd actually pushed them over.