In creating a sphere using Pennsylvania fieldstone and dry lay construction techniques, notions of Imbalance and In balance are manifested through the exploration of material strength, weight, stability, and the construction process and finished form.

Using long pieces of stone as tie stones to 'hold up' the weight of the over hanging layers of stone, requires that a counter balance of 'push down' force be carried at the opposite end of the tie stone (in the core of the sphere). As the sphere emerges from the ground and increases in diameter, there is an escalating tension between these two opposite forces as they are transferred through the tie stones. The completed sphere achieves stability through an overall balance of forces - there is just enough 'pushdown' to 'hold up' and the tie stones are 'carrying' the overall load.

CAIRN, field stone, 2002.
Photo: Dennis Grady.