To realize the significance of and enjoy the beauty of fences, a person has only to travel beyond the enclosed storage yards and cyclone-fenced freeways into the open countryside. There, standing amid colorful country vistas, are a multitude of fences varied in structure and made from an astounding array of materials.
A careful study of these “boundary-reminders” may reveal a history of the area’s natural resources, the personality of a continually changing landscape or the character of the current landowner.
When man first came, he chose his land. He then built shelter for his family and provided sustenance for their needs. His next instinct was the desire to define his territory, mark his metes and bounds and tell all, “This is mine, I own it and will protect it with my life.” Last, he built fences.
Unfortunately, the days are gone when fences are built from local materials provided by nature. But, here and there, amid tangled vines and wild flowers, tucked away in remote corners, visages of the past still proudly stand.
In the passing of time since, fences have became as much a part of the landscape as the mesa and the mountain. Their diversity and style seem to represent a minor art form. Photographers and artists find fences an unending subject for displaying their talents.
Although fences seem to be a part of the landscape, they rarely follow the natural plan of rhythm of the land. They extend, in a manner of their own, over hills, across gullies, and through meadows as if there was a calling in the distance urging them on.
In some places gigantic upheavals of fire and brimstone left landscapes littered and unsightly. But rock fences, constructed by man from this litter, return a sense of order to the scene. Their lines, flowing gently from hilltop to hilltop are things of beauty, allowing man to erect his boundaries yet not disturb nature’s portrait.
The narrow strips of land between fence and road becomes a unique habitat---- a refuge for the flora, the fauna and the wildlife of the area. Fences provide the vines and other climbing beauties a grandstand to show off nature’s extravagances.
For an instant at times we may resent the presence of a fence if it shows itself amid beauty. But on second thought, away down deep inside, we know the tillers of the soil who provide our “horn-of-plenty” couldn’t exist, nor provide without the use of fences.
And when we compare the placing of fences to man’s other disturbances of our land, we find they are probably one of man’s most gentle annotations to the soil.
It is inevitable that the beautiful old fences made from natural resources provided by nature will soon disappear back into the soil from whence they came. As we witness this demise, let us preserve the unique bits and pieces we find. Let us photograph, sketch, paint and record the beauty of every scene. Finally, let display this extraordinary exhibition for all who follow to enjoy.
