Gravity Glue Interview: Bill Dan – “The Rocker”

Bill Dan is among the first rockstackers I found after I began balancing…Someone stopped me on the creek one day and advised me to check out his work… exploring his work was my first plunge down the rabbit hole of other balancers… Bill is among the most well-known in the world and has a very recognizable style… clearly a master of the art.  As you might be able to see, he has had a significant effect on my own evolution of style and skill. I decided to drop a few questions for him to answer… My hope is that readers can learn something… possibly become inspired to try for themselves, or develop their skills further.. Much thanks to Bill Dan for taking the time to answer my questions.  All photos in this post are under copyright and ownership of Bill Dan and require direct permission for use.

More of Bill’s work and photos can be found here:

Bill’s Blog

Bill’s Website

Bill’s Flickr

Bill’s Youtube Channel

 

Q&A

GG: How long have you been practicing stone balance? Where do you normally practice stone balance? Please describe your first balance experience. how did you first discover stone balance?

I started practicing Balancing Rocks [ at that time it was “stacking rocks” ] in 1994 – just having fun while taking a break jogging from My place to the Golden Gate Bridge. I used to run 3 or 4 times a week just for the running reason, but after starting balancing rocks, I have different and more exciting mind set to go out running and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the water front from the City to GG bridge.
There are a lot of other places in SF that We can find rocks to play with, but most of the times I spend practicing and learning balancing rocks is the spot near GG Bridge, even though the wind problem is a big factor.

I already familiar with stones or rocks formation years before I started practicing it by reading or looking at pictures on magazines or books. I used to live in England and I was really fascinated with Stonehenge and other rocks formation over there.

 

GG: Please name 1 or more inspirational stone balance artists (if any) that you discovered initially and/or along your journey, that have contributed to your own style/interest/development with the art.

When I started balancing rocks in 1994, I wasn’t aware of anybody else practicing the Art on a regular bases – maybe part of that because of the internet activities were not part of Me yet . . . { later on I found out that John Ceprano has been busy and having fun with the rocks since the 70’s }.
The other thing that I found out, that the counter balance style wasn’t to be found on any publication : images or videos. I started practicing, developing that style later that year [ 1994 ], and now gladly, proudly, everybody is having a good time with the style.

I really admire the work and creations of some of the next generation of the Art that They do, and if You need names, and I’ll start it with You . . yes, You are good . . . .
along with Our Korean friend [ I think His name is Ricky ], Paul from Germany . . Others are on the way too . . . keep them coming . . .

GG: Do you feel a spiritual dimension to the practice?

Practicing the Art is very spiritual to Me, when You are alone in intense focusing, trying to reach the right and perfect placement,trying to connect and to balance the rocks, at the same time realizing that You are not supposed to force the act as if You are the Subject and the the rocks are the object . . .
Every time, when I am in that moment or when I am in that process, that thought is present . . .

 

GG: How has practicing stone balance improved your life/ approach to life/ general well-being?

Yes, It changed My Life : more patient [ need that when You are living in the big and crowded city ], more mature, etc . . etc . . .

GG: Do you think stone balance has therapeutic and/or academic applications? please explain.

Absolutely, Stone Balancing has a very therapeutic applications or effects to the Artist itself [ as I explained on the previous notes ] and to others : in My case, I do a lot of live performing Arts for public,general audience, etc. You can just see and feel the positive reactions from them when You’ve just finished a piece of the Art .
I did social studies in My University years ago so I am not qualified to give My opinion for the scientific effects of the Art, but I have so many Engineers, Architects, Scientists, came to see Me balancing rocks, some of them bringing Their students, discussing between themselves at the location, writing notes etc

 

GG: Please offer some insight, if any, into how or why stone balance appears as a GLOBAL practice, despite geographic or cultural isolation.

Stone Balance as a Global Practice. I’ll try to explain it in 2 parts :
Firstly, It is a necessity – it is a Human necessity beside food ,survival . . .
Depends on what You want to define “Balance” – in general, if You put or place a single rock against the ground, whether it looks ordinary or looks very imposing, by definition it is Balance [ Balanced ].
I am sure the basic instinct of Our ancestor wherever They lived that in order to survive, They have to use every possible means that make sense to survive.
Using rocks to build a shelter or a place to live was mostly the choice.

Secondly, along with the necessary part of using rocks as part of the tools to survive, there are other social and or cultural activities that required rocks as a tool or medium.
{ Unfortunately- at the moment, I can’t go further with My deep thought about this part without giving You the proper footnotes [ link ] about this fascinating subject. I used to read a lot – especially about the subject, but at the moment My brain is blanked out . . . . sorry ].

 

GG: Lastly, please offer any comments/advice (if any) for beginner stone balancers.

For the beginner, first step is very easy : Just do it . . . pick and select rocks that You comfortable to lift and moves around – gently, do not rush place the rocks one by one upward, don’t worry about the size of the contact points – maybe You can put 4 to 5 rocks formation. After You finish that process, check it out by moving around and look, examine the piece from different angle.
Next step, take the piece down and start over again, slow – gently – no rushing . . .
After You finished the piece, study the it in more detail about the size of those contact points between the rocks, because the next step You are going to take the piece down and again put them back together. This time You can try to balance the rocks with smaller contact points . . . . that the fun part, You be surprised how well You’re become a ROCKER . . . Have fun . . .

Wow, I did wrote a lot tonight consider there are a bunch of frustrated people in the house watching the Niners games . . . he . . he . . . [ not really a fan, soccer is My thing ].

OK, Have fun Michael – Keep on Rocking, I am watching You . . . he . . he . . he . .