Nature Quote by Jeffrey Jerome Cohen
““Stone is a primal matter, inhuman in its duration. Yet despite its incalculable temporality, the lithic is not some vast and alien outside. A limit-breaching intimacy persistently unfolds. Hurl a rock and you'll shatter an ontology, leave taxonomy in glistening shards.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Stone and the Ontology” in Art and the Anthropocene, 2010
Stone, though ancient and unchanging, can be used to challenge and reshape our understanding of categories and reality.
In simple terms: Using stone can break old ideas.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions, experiment with materials.
Themes
materiality
philosophy
art
ontology
Mood
provocative
reflective
Type
critical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- sculpture
- installation art
- educational workshops
- philosophical debates
Key Concepts
ontological disruption
material agency
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday objects could you use to rethink a belief?
- How does material choice affect meaning?
A Different Perspective
Physical objects may not fully capture abstract concepts.
