Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus

QUESTION 2.    How do you know when a balance is complete—by sight, by feel, or by something deeper?

• ANSWER 2.  A balance can achieve different levels of completeness. Once the stones are at equilibrium I feel grounded and connected with nature. When I step back I often am inspired to recreate the work in ways that might be more challenging or aesthetically pleasing. At other times I enjoy just being with the balance and appreciate the nature I'm surrounded by.

Douglas Case
Stone Balancing and Land Art

BIO: Douglas is from Colorado in the USA, but is currently in Latvia, the homeland of his wife, Zinta.

Having a background in Fine Art painting and carpentry helped prepare Douglas as a stone balance artist. When going into nature to balance, he lets the balances flow. Balancing rocks requires one to be in the present moment, and to practice patience and perseverance. The moment when a balance is created has a magical quality. People seem to love what appears to defy reason. Stone balancing can bring joy and a sense of wonder, and working with stones can have a grounding and calming effect. Balances are ephemeral installations and are taken down since it is best to leave no trace.

Douglas and Zinta travel as much as possible for balancing and land art. They have created land art at numerous festivals, including LEAF in Texas, ELAF in Scotland, Talamh in Ireland, Back West in Arizona, and IBIS in Italy.

LINK: @acaseforbalance

QUESTION 3.    What do you hope people experience in that moment before the stones might fall?

• ANSWER 3.    The ephemeral nature of balancing reflects the essence of life itself and helps one appreciate what is important in life as well as the beauty of the surrounding world, and to value the importance of preserving nature.

QUESTION 1.    What first drew you to the act of balancing stones—patience, challenge, or the quiet conversation with gravity?

• ANSWER 1.    For me stone balancing is a form of meditation that requires me to be in the present moment and allows my creative energy to flow. I greatly appreciate the challenges that balancing brings.

All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by Douglas Case.
Artwork may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's express written permission.

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