land art

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Art

The Balanced Rock Sculptures of Michael Grab Rely Solely on Gravity

Land artist Michael Grab creates astonishing towers and orbs of balanced rocks using little more than patience and an astonishing sense of balance. Grab says the art of stone balancing has been practiced by various cultures around the world for centuries and that he personally finds the process of balancing to be therapeutic and meditative.

Over the past few years of practicing rock balance, simple curiosity has evolved into therapeutic ritual, ultimately nurturing meditative presence, mental well-being, and artistry of design. Alongside the art, setting rocks into balance has also become a way of showing appreciation, offering thanksgiving, and inducing meditation. Through manipulation of gravitational threads, the ancient stones become a poetic dance of form and energy, birth and death, perfection and imperfection.

Almost all of the works you see here were completed this fall in locations around Boulder, Colorado. You can see much more in his portfolio as well as several videos of him working over on YouTube.

Art

Wake: A Walkway of Severed Purple Logs by Michael McGillis

Huge mounds of firewood are a common site here in the midwest, but in the capable hands of Michigan artist Michael McGillis a row of logs becomes a unexpectedly beautiful sight. Titled Wake the piece was originally installed back in 2006 at the Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, Minnesota and consisted of a 95-foot long trench of cut trees painted purple in the middle as if to reveal a suprising new species of plant. A simple idea, wonderfully executed. (via my darkened eyes)

Art

Giant Tree Branch Sculpture Installed at Croajingolong National Park by Corey Thomas

Spinifex is a recent sculpture by Australian artist Corey Thomas. The piece was constructed from local tree branches and other plant material before being air-lifted with a helicopter into Croajingolong National Park in Victoria. (via my darkened eyes)

Art

Pine Cone Land Art from Sylvain Meyer

I’m really enjoying this land art installation in Baulmes, Switzerland from artist Sylvain Meyer (previously). He says it took nearly two months to harvest and collect enough pine cones to fill 10 bags, and then another two days to complete it. See more over on Flickr.

Art Photography

Flower Mandalas by Kathy Klein

I’m loving the vibrant colors and the meticulous placement of every leaf, flower petal, and pine cone is these natural mandalas by Arizona artist Kathy Klein. The pieces are called danmalas (‘the giver of garlands’ in Sanskrit), and after each is formed and photographed Klein leaves them where they were created as a gift to whoever discovers them. (via things organized neatly)

Art

The Land Art of Sylvain Meyer

New to me, these wonderful land art installations by Swiss artist Sylvain Meyer who modifies wooded areas and landscapes to create various impermanent patterns, sculptures, and textures. Everything seen here was constructed without the use of Photoshop, even the mossy spider. Whoa! See much more over on Flickr. I’ve also finally crated a land art tag for Colossal. (via ruines humaines)