The secrets of rock-stacking
For most people, precise and delicate tasks that require hours of attention like stacking rocks could be very stressful, but for Daniel Morgan it’s an exercise in meditation.
‘‘I just get in a state where I’m completely in the moment and absorbed with what I’m doing,’’ the New Plymouth rock-stacker and artist said.
‘‘Some of these pieces take hours while some I can put together fairly quickly.’’
Morgan has been stacking rocks in physics-defying ways for years, leaving his works along New Plymouth’s coastal walkway or even in the middle of streams.
He said he started out ‘‘just trying to get out in nature’’.
‘‘From there it turned into a bit more of a thing and eventually evolved into what it is now,’’ he said.
‘‘I find it calming. I deal with a bit of anxiety from time to time and this helps me relax. Being out in nature, having something singular to focus on with absolute concentration is very peaceful.’’
He said the best things about his works are that they’re temporary.
‘‘I just want people to get enjoyment out of seeing these. If that involves them throwing rocks at them that’s fine, at least they’re having fun.’’
As for the technique Morgan said it was ‘‘easy to explain but hard to do’’.
‘‘It’s all about counterbalance, you try and figure out a rough line where you want the rocks to sit and try and keep to that. – Fairfax NZ