Others: More Rock Balancers Than Ever

Former environmental activist James Mitchell writes that his "obsession has always been balance", and that finding this website gave him the perfect hobby, having taught special needs students and having his own difficulties quietening his mind. He comments that he's often "leaping about and climbing on things", which balancing helps balance, so to speak, and adds that "The only limitations on reality are the ones we create." He maintains a photo gallery on MySpace (which requires login) and, on our urging, a new public one on Flickr.

Internationally balanced rocks and toilet portraits? Expect that sort of juxtaposition from Jonas Jungblut, who maintains a collection of blogs showing his photographs and interests. Born and raised in Berlin, his move to Santa Barbara, California, offered not only new bathroom appliances but the inspiration last year to begin balancing, which has proved portable ("wherever") and compelling ("whenever"). Whether his academic advisors will allow him his wish - "I want to write my Masters Thesis on rock balancing" - remains to be seen. We'd be willing to help, of course.

Lila Higgins has been balancing rocks since 2001 when she was working at Frank Lloyd Wright's house Kentuck Knob in Pennsyvania. She writes, "This house contained an Andy Goldsworthy rock wall which inspired me to begin creating my own rock sculptures. Since that time I have created rock sculptures in California, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom." She hopes to begin teaching classes in Massachusetts and also begin a rock balancers group. She has only just recently started a photosharing website on Flickr featuring her work. One of her pieces was done at the Garden in the Woods where Jerry Kuyper recently had a show and balancing workshop. By Jove, I think she's got it!

Other examples of rock balancing may be seen at www.opticverve.ca/rocks/balance.html