The Artful Element of Texture
Texture is one of the seven elements of art. As a key member of the artful elements,
Texture asks, ‘How does it feel’.
‘Rough ‘n’ gritty,’ answers Lava Rock Wall.
The poem, ‘Lava Rock Walls’ gives a feel for texture.
‘Lava Rock Walls’ by Joan Boxall
Show rough and gritty
at their best in sharp
shades of black-blue-gray-green.
Dry-stacked without mortar–
interlocking, toothy, patchwork jigsaws
stonewalling lines of communication.
Since the 12th century, Hawaiian lava walls have
divided defended protected
separated enclosed.
Supporting spaces,
giving form to building, terrace, pond
garden path, safe place
Upright and solid.
don’t hit the wall, AWOL–
be igneous-cool, not molten;
be off-the-wall, not of it.
All photos by Joan Boxall (c)
Watch the film on the ‘pond’ link above. Lava-rock-wall building requires strength, craftmanship and is part of the cultural and historical landscape of the Hawaiian isles.
At 5 million years of age, Kauai is the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain. The volcano that created it started brewing and bubbling 10 million years ago. That’s real espresso. The first Polynesian and Marquesian settlers came 1500 years ago and became master builders of lava stone walls.