Artist Quote by Cornelia Parker
“Driving a steamroller over an old trumpet or a teaspoon is no more destructive than taking a chisel to a lump of marble already torn from the landscape. But people don't see it that way because marble is considered noble.”
About This Quote
Source Artist Statement: 2015 Exhibition, Cornelia Parker, 2015
Destruction of objects is judged differently based on material value and cultural perception.
In simple terms: Value influences how we view destruction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias in judging destruction.
Themes
art
value
perception
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- public art
- construction projects
Key Concepts
cultural hierarchy
materialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is marble seen as noble?
- How does material affect our reaction?
A Different Perspective
Not all destruction is equal; context matters.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
